“Dancing With The Stars” has returned for its 34th season, captivating millions with its signature blend of celebrity flair and competitive ballroom—yet it’s the show’s vibrant public voting system that often takes center stage, influencing every dramatic elimination and final triumph.
This year, voting for “Dancing With The Stars” remains a pivotal element, placing the power to decide who stays and who goes directly in viewers’ hands. As in recent seasons, audience members can cast votes in two main ways: online and via text message. Online voting is accessible through the official ABC website or app, requiring users to create an account linked to their email. Alternatively, fans can vote by texting a special keyword (usually the celebrity or couple’s name) to 21523, offering a quick and mobile-friendly option.
Voting opens during each live broadcast at 8 p.m. ET and continues through the final performance of the night. Users must act fast—once the voting window closes, typically just minutes after the last dance, their votes no longer count. Each audience member can submit up to 10 online votes and 10 text votes per voting window, for a total of 20 votes per couple each week, although show producers sometimes adjust these limits to preserve fairness.
“Fan voting is the heart of what makes the show so electrifying,” says head judge Carrie Ann Inaba. “It’s not just about the scores the judges give, it’s about how the audience connects with the performances and supports their favorites. That makes every season unique.'”
However, voting eligibility comes with clear guidelines. Voters must be at least 18 years old and reside in the United States or Canada. The show enforces restrictions designed to prevent fraud, such as requiring account verification and imposing strict limits on automated or suspicious voting patterns. Voting outside the allowed time, or using prohibited methods, risks disqualification. These protocols, says executive producer Deena Katz, “ensure a level playing field and protect the integrity of the results for both the stars and the show’s devoted fans.”
Over nearly two decades, “Dancing With The Stars” has evolved its voting mechanisms to keep pace with technology and viewer expectations. What began with basic phone-in ballots has expanded into a multi-platform approach, reflecting the shift to smartphones and social engagement. This season, the format allows viewers to watch performance highlights online before clicking to vote, a change designed to help audiences make more informed decisions.
The real-world stakes are high for contestants. A single night’s performances—and the surge of public votes—can lift an underdog to stardom or send a front-runner home in a surprise elimination. As former winner Hannah Brown reflected, “The energy from the audience is everything. You feel it when the votes come through—it’s a rush like nothing else.”
Looking ahead, ABC suggests fans stay engaged by following the show’s official social media channels and checking for updates on voting rules or timeframes, as small adjustments can happen mid-season. The grand finale is already shaping up to be one of the closest in recent memory, with several celebrity dancers in a neck-and-neck race for the coveted Mirrorball Trophy.
