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When I found a duplicate question recently, I noticed some conflicting information on how new users like myself should handle such.

On Privileges - Cast Close and Reopen Votes it says that:

  • If the question is a duplicate, post a comment with a link to the original.

However, the page Privileges - Vote Down says:

  • If the question is duplicate or off-topic — flag it for moderator attention.

While on Privileges - Flag Posts there is nothing at all about flagging duplicates.

Additionally, the answer to this question suggests than one should in fact do both. Some clarification on what the preferred course of action is would be useful.

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Reset to default
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Essentially, the answer is If you have the rep to vote to close, vote to close. If you don't, flag.

Note that the vote down privileges are granted at 125 reputation, and the close questions privilege is granted at 3,000 reputation.

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  • What about a regular down-vote? Should someone with less than 3000 but more than 125 rep also vote the question down, in addition to flagging it and providing a link to the original in a comment?
    – bessman
    Commented Feb 27, 2012 at 14:16
  • Yes. Just because you gain one privilege doesn't mean you lost others.
    – jrg Mod
    Commented Feb 27, 2012 at 14:21
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    Thank you for the clarification. I think it would be a good idea to mention explicitly on the 'Flag Posts' page that duplicates should be flagged.
    – bessman
    Commented Feb 27, 2012 at 14:30

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