I've got to confess I did not know that, thank you for informing me. It's understandable why anybody should be allowed to start the vote if the gal is eligible for it, and up to your response my suggestion was based on the theory that the existing members of the gal had already decided the gal was dead therefore making my suggestion valid. Which it is'nt now!
Though I still believe the principle of being able to self exile whilst in protection is a valid suggestion, dependant on set criteria. Just not the criteria as I outlined originally.
Perhaps :-
If you signup post tick 72
If you have upgraded to a paid account
If you are under protection
If you are in a galaxy which is eligible for a self exile vote
You can choose to self exile before protection ends.
Maybe it could be linked in as a chosen bonus (kind of like a get out of jail free card) such as the exisitng resource / construction bonus that late joining paid accounts get to choose between?