I understand your frustration fully.
However, I've learned these jams are not the place for deep, involved analysis of rank outcome. The vote system is deliberately simple. You can deem it inherently flawed or accept that its goal is not to guard against self-evident pitfalls but rather to count, albeit faulty, stars.
This system is not concerned with unassailable congruity as it clearly allows for several less than honest approaches to rig advantage.
I know it's spirit-breaking to work hard on something only to be beaten by demonstrably weaker entries. Please don't let this be your last jam! Instead enter the next one expecting everything from yourself and nothing from anyone else.