I just downvoted an answer. (In this case because it was more of a comment than an answer.) As soon as I downvoted, I got a -1 in my reputation. Is it supposed to be like this, or is it some technical fault?
$\begingroup$ $\endgroup$
2 
1 Answer
$\begingroup$ $\endgroup$
4 Yes, there is a 1 rep point hit for downvoting answers. There isn't any reputation hit for downvoting questions.
I've noticed that really bad answers tend to attract 3-4 downvotes and then the author is motivated to remove the answer. When an answer that you downvoted is removed you get your reputation back.
The reputation loss does make you think twice about downvoting an answer but don't let it discourage you. Wrong or poor answers need to be downvoted.
- 2$\begingroup$ I think I can take one for the cause, :D $\endgroup$Rijul Gupta– Rijul Gupta2013-12-27 18:29:43 +00:00Commented Dec 27, 2013 at 18:29
- $\begingroup$ If you think a posted answer doesn't attempt to answer the question you can flag it as "not an answer". $\endgroup$Brandon Enright– Brandon Enright2013-12-27 18:31:18 +00:00Commented Dec 27, 2013 at 18:31
- 3$\begingroup$ You should also explain why you believe that answer is wrong. $\endgroup$Kyle Kanos– Kyle Kanos2013-12-27 18:39:43 +00:00Commented Dec 27, 2013 at 18:39
- 3$\begingroup$ To clarify the previous two comments: if you think an answer is wrong, downvote it and (preferably) leave a comment explaining why, but don't flag it. If it's not even an answer, then you flag it. $\endgroup$2013-12-27 23:29:57 +00:00Commented Dec 27, 2013 at 23:29
not an answer; moderators can then convert it to a comment. Note, though, that you should not use this with technically incorrect answers (like the one you linked to), which should be downvoted. $\endgroup$