> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.elata.bio/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# veELTA and Governance

> How ELTA locking translates to voting power and governance participation.

## What veELTA Is

veELTA is the vote-escrow token for Elata protocol governance. You receive veELTA by locking ELTA tokens for a chosen duration.

* Lock ELTA for 7 to 730 days
* Receive voting power proportional to your lock amount and duration
* Unlock your principal after the lock period expires

<Note>
  veELTA is used exclusively for governance. It does not entitle holders to fee yields.
</Note>

***

## Lock Parameters

| Parameter     | Range            |
| ------------- | ---------------- |
| Minimum lock  | 7 days           |
| Maximum lock  | 730 days         |
| Minimum boost | 1x (at 7 days)   |
| Maximum boost | 2x (at 730 days) |

***

## Boost Formula

Voting power scales linearly with lock duration:

```
boost = 1 + (lockDuration / maxDuration)
veELTA = lockedAmount * boost
```

**Example:** Locking 1,000 ELTA for 365 days gives you:

* boost = 1 + (365 / 730) = 1.5x
* veELTA = 1,000 \* 1.5 = 1,500 veELTA voting power

***

## Position Management

| Action   | What It Does                          |
| -------- | ------------------------------------- |
| Create   | Lock ELTA for a chosen duration       |
| Increase | Add more ELTA to an existing lock     |
| Extend   | Increase the lock duration            |
| Unlock   | Withdraw principal after lock expires |

***

## When To Lock

Consider locking ELTA when:

* You want to participate in governance proposals
* You plan to hold ELTA long-term anyway
* You want to influence protocol direction (fee parameters, graduation thresholds, etc.)

Longer locks give more voting power per ELTA. If you are unsure about duration, start with a shorter lock and extend later.

***

## Governance Participation

veELTA voting power is used for protocol-level governance proposals submitted through the ElataGovernor contract:

* **Parameter changes:** trading fees, transfer tax caps, treasury take percentages
* **Protocol upgrades:** contract changes, new features
* **Community decisions:** incentive distributions, partnership approvals

Proposals go through a timelock (ElataTimelock) before execution, giving the community time to review changes.

***

## Next

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Stake and Earn" icon="piggy-bank" iconType="light" href="/apps/users/stake-and-earn">
    App token staking
  </Card>

  <Card title="Community Systems" icon="users" iconType="light" href="/apps/design/community-systems">
    Governance mechanics in detail
  </Card>
</CardGroup>