The amount of Steem being distributed is fixed. If the whales don't vote their vesting shares are not used. The votes of the minnows would be worth a lot more.
Let's say you and I were the only 2 voters in the field. You vote with 3 Steem Power for post #A and I do not vote. The author of post #A receives all rewards. If I would vote for post #B with 100.000 SP the author of post #B earns almost all of the reward, but #A almost nothing.
Upvoted! That explains my question "The amount of Steem being distributed is fixed. " Thank you, I understand now.