Mai, Menard and others have been nominated in the past either formally or informally. They have requested a future slot for the honor. The tank is in the eye of the owner and theirs doesn't meet their own standards at this time. It's just not determined when that'll be.
It may be worth asking the intent for the requirement, but labeling it ridiculous is easier than it is to wonder and ask why. This is not a national forum, it is a local community. Being an active part of the local community, whether or not they are active on CR, builds the community. National/worldwide forums do not share this, they have an infinite user base. Selecting a tank based solely on awe factor makes sense for them to draw users from all over the world to view the pictures. Chicagoland is not large enough to have a sustainable pool of such tanks.
So it's left to determine how to pick tanks of those who are active. People supporting the site build the giveaways, meet up raffles, POTM prizes, future swaps, and BBQs. Being active does and will superseded the premium membership in a way, as any member willing to put in the effort to go through the TOTQ process has earned premium membership. For those times when the community demands the TOTQ change when an absolute awesome tank is not available, why should an active supporter of the community not be given first chance? They'll be foremost in the running for the TOTQ honor.
To view this as excluding tanks, is incorrect in it's intent. Let us instead feature tanks of those who would otherwise not have thought their tank to be worthy yet, supporting all of those community minded people in the CR and greater area who will share their tank with us.