Let's not divert the topic with wants overriding others deny.
[we aren't here to think to deeply, cause we all know everything has consequences. Specially conversing with people outside of Zones/duties/instances.]
that said, Exploration Zones should have a way to send mail to those in and out of it.
with a marker on the map that let's you know if you have one pending.
Maybe even a retainer bell as well.

A NPC that extends your personal timer, and let's you know how old that Specific Exploration zone is.

as well as the ability to queue as an Alliance, form an Alliance within said Exploration Zones.

and the ability to deny the zone from locking/vote for a lock<that requires all players or 90-97% agree to locking the zone>
rather than the random auto locks we have today for old Exploration zones.