Welcome, Avi. I moved your post to the 2018 lottery thread.
your #5: "At this point, I am assuming all the names have to be provided" That doesn't occur. All names aren't provided until the permit is picked up at the Visitor Center the day before the hike.
I think Inyo checks the lottery applications for same leader and alternate leader names. ...and leaders/alternates can't be changed after the lottery. Only the leader or alternate can pick up the permit.
Thanks Steve! Hoping to land one of the permits this year. Really excited.