Okay, I have been reading the various tweets and complaints about the poll results with some bewilderment and, for what might be the first time ever, I'm choosing to view things with a little bit of optimism here and not see things as a massive conspiracy on Hasbro's part. Before anyone who knows me does a huge spit-take all over their computer screens, I'm willing to concede that there was probably a huge lie told in the wording of "any character not from TFA" in the original instructions to arrive at this list, but if you look at it with rose-colored glasses (and no, I am not currently intoxicated nor on non-prescription drugs), it might make a little more sense. Granted, it at least makes more sense than voting for Grievous given that he's showing up in computers as coming soon, but still.
Going by Jeff's list of the top vote getters from the various sites on the previous page, we have the following:
Darth Revan
He made the top 7 on SW.com. Currently in an awkward state of canonicty due to his inclusion in the ongoing TOR game, so he doesn't technically fall into the "Legends" universe, which would make him off-limits to Disney suits.
Gamorrean Guard
Snowtrooper
Film-based characters. Acceptable and no issues with any of these being on the list.
Starkiller
Here's where it gets tricky. While the original instructions said "ANY" character not from TFA, I'm suspecting it meant "ANY POST-DISNEY TAKEOVER CHARACTER" instead, meaning no "Legends" character. With that said, it probably disqualified Mr. Marek from being included on the list. If true, the fault for that lies purely with Hasbro for not making the rules clearer to begin with.
General Grievous
Film-based character, and inclusion isn't a problem, if you can get past the fact that we are all about 90% certain he's coming anyway thanks to leaked lists all over the interwebs. Either way, I'm sure we won't get official word on that until after the announcement of who won the Fan Choice poll at SDCC, or we'll get word at NYCC that he had such huge support that Hasbro decided to make him anyway. See, I can still be cynical!
Asajj Ventress
This is the one that confuses me a little bit, to be honest. Personally, I'd love a Ventress 6" figure, and she still qualifies given that the majority of her appearances are canon (Clone Wars, Dark Disciple). While I don't think she was left off intentionally (and I hope that wasn't the case, especially given George Lucas and his daughter's vocal love for that character), I'm wondering if this wasn't a case of Sabine's current visibility in Rebels being given precedent. If any one character being passed over indicates some fudging of the data, this would be the one that does so in my eyes.
Ben Kenobi (ANH)
Lando Calrissian (ESB)
Both film-based characters, and both made the final list (deservedly so).
Mara Jade
Another "victim" (and I use that term VERY loosely) of the unspoken "Legends" rule invocation. Plus I find the constant cries of Mara Jade conspiracy theorists to be hilarious, especially since I find the character to be annoying and awful. Personal opinion, yes, but she's no longer canon, and that was probably why she was left off the final list. That and she didn't get enough votes to make it to the finals.
You're damned right I'm petty.
Emperor's Royal Guard
Zuckuss
4-LOM
As much requested as the above three characters are (due to the ERGs being awesome, and the remaining three bounty hunters being both awesome and necessary to complete the "set" of ESB bounty hunters), I can't imagine Hasbro isn't already working on all three. Including Zuckuss or 4-LOM on a list by themselves would have everyone asking why one is on the list without the other, so it was probably easier to leave both off. I'm wishing/hoping they're working on both as a box set (akin to the 2010 Vintage exclusive 3.75" set from a few years ago) right now, with a single-boxed Dengar right now. Regardless, I'm deluding myself into thinking their omission was intentional due to them already being far enough along to be a foregone conclusion.
Ahsoka Tano (CW)
I'm guessing (again) that this was not included because an Ahsoka was already planned (the Rebels version) and they didn't want to do two in a short period of time. That said, I'd buy either a young or late teens CW Ahsoka, and Hasbro would be crazy not to make one eventually.
Sabine Wren
Last but not least, the seventh inclusion. Maybe she had a sudden influx of votes, maybe she didn't, but she's on the list, and she'd make a great figure. If she wins, her being a Fan's Choice means that (hopefully) Hasbro will go all-out and include tons of accessories (removable helmet, blasters) and detail that they failed to give to the 5 POA 3.75" figure. In all honesty, they really should have dropped Grievous from the list and made it the original six they mentioned.
So yeah, maybe I'm stretching, and maybe I'm petty (I do hate Mara Jade with a passion), but that's the best rationale I can come up with. Feel free to agree or disagree. I'll be over here in my corner building Lego houses.
DISCLAIMER: I voted for Sabine in the actual poll, so yeah.