So, with a imminent Smash Direct, most likely to show the ballot results (can`t really think in any other reason for a full smash-only direct) i think we should talk about who will step forth. Lets focus in who we believe will win (and is possible), not who we want.

My opinion:

A- With Nintendo we never know, but i think we can count Ryu and Cloud as non-ballot, since nothing was mentioned so far.
B- I don`t think we will see a character who is not mainly from games, so no Goku and similars, despite the DBZ games.
C- We don`t know how many characters they will pick, but i think they want to carry smash momentum until the NX remaster/remake. I believe nintendo can profit and enjoy great publicity if they announce 5 characters. They may pick less, 3 would sound acceptable, but i doubt we will see more.

Below the characters i consider possible, not in this order:

1- King K. Rool - there seems to a lot of fandom around this one, it is from a well know IP and despite being humanoid, it allows some very different fight patterns thanks to being a Kremling.

2- Shovel Knight - No, i am not dying of love about this one, but there seems to be a lot of fans wanting it and the developers are pushing it too. I can see it making to the top 10, easily. If Nintendo doesn`t veto it themselves, it would happen.

3- Isaac - I am not sure how, but there seems to be a lot of love for this one. In theory, it would take a miracle to see a character from Golden Sun to rank closely in popularity with any other Nintendo IP character, let alone video games in general. And still, everywhere you look people are cheering for it.
Being a oppotunity to leverage a IP they own, i think Nintendo would gadly accept it.

4- Wolf - Yes, it sounds boring, but if you look Cloud reveal reactions, many youtubers were cheering for Wolf during the opening sequence (because, tbh, no one would anticipate Cloud). This would be fairly easy for Nintendo to make and still count as a character, giving them more time for the other 4.

5- Snake - Was in brawl, is a big character and has many fans. What could get in the way is Konami bs or Nintendo not wanting to advertise a game that is not in the system.

6- Sora - Fits the game and the system better than Cloud. Square has every reason to want this and this character has a lot of support.

I think Bayonetta has more of a chance than Sora or Snake, I had seen a lot of support for her inclusion.

I think
1.Shovel Knight
2. Sora
3. Bayonetta
4. Toad
54. John Cena

The ballot was never about whoever gets the most votes wins. For example, if "a banana from Donkey Kong" got the most votes, it wouldn't be put in Smash.

All of the votes are recommendations and if for example King K. Rool is at the top, Sakurai would then take his possibilities in Smash into consideration.

Really all the ballot was for was for reommendations. No one knows the actual results besides Sakurai so the decision is up to him. If he thinks a character isn't suited for Smash even if it has a lot of votes, he won't do it.

Now for the actual OP, I feel like the characters will be

Isaac (Golden Sun)

King K. Rool

Wolf (to appease fans)

Shovel Knight

Maybe a few more but I'm not sure

John Cena, Shrek or Geno

You gave me a great idea: whenever a new Smash ballot will be done (if ever) I'll vote for the Blue Shell to become a character !!

I hope Isaac is chosen!And Sora too.My god, Sora would be awesome

My vote goes to the Spanish Inquisition.

I thought the smash ballot was just for a Nintendo character

Fuck Wolf, we need Snake. He's still relevant too, his game just came out.