I'm not sure why he received less votes this year than last. Due to the steroids controversy, it is apparent that voters decided to dismiss all the eligible candidates from the "steroids era", widely considered to be the 1990s. It can be seen by looking at the total votes for McGwire, Canseco, Caminiti, Bonilla, Eric Davis, Jay Buhner, Dante Bichette, and now Albert Belle, who had previously received at least 5% on the past several votes.
It would have only stood to reason that Rice and Dawson would have received more votes because they are considered to have played during a "clean" era and truly earned the numbers they put up. Instead, we have to wait another year, when they supposedly have less competition due to the new entries.

Jim Rice was the best right-handed hitter of his era. Adjusting for changes in statistical norms, he was a Manny Ramirez type for ten years. He is still the only player with 200 or more hits and 35 or more homeruns in three consecutive seasons. Given some of the guys in there, it is a disgrace that he is not in the Hall of Fame. Ask any pitcher of that era who he'd rather face with a one-run lead and two guys on late in a game; Jim Rice or Hall of Famer Wade Boggs. There wouldn't even be a choice.