Considering we're probably going to have to address this situation each year, let's all decide how many owners can constitute an official draft. Absent owners could draft by phone or proxy. I'm sure that there's some software that could help abset owners keep up with our live auction at their computer.
The more, the merrier. We could always use some chat program for the draft. I have one guy in my local league from Raleigh that can't make it up here for the draft (although a guy from Tampa FL does every year).
We use this for chat during draft and it's worked well for years.