Thanks, Angus! This all looks really great. I guess when I try the elections functionality out on your sandbox I’ll learn more about how it works and identify more sticking points. Thanks for addressing the START ELECTION moderator temptation issue. 
As regards eligibility requirements - a description field (maybe that can be expanded/closed?) is a great idea and that can work for many use cases, instead of a link. How about a tickbox, e.g. “I have read the eligibility requirements and confirm that I meet them.” followed by a link to expand/close it?
BTW, did you look at the full election process I included in the post below? There is a screening step foreseen there, by a selection committee, to avoid wasting time of all members reviewing nominations that are not going to be considered. I like the full democracy concept you are developing here though and if the process is effectively handled by your plugin I am open to trying it without the screening step. Uneligible nominations can always be removed by us before voting begins.