Dancing With the Stars Voting: How It Works, How to Vote & Everything You Need to Know

Dancing With the Stars Voting: A Complete Guide (How to Vote, Rules, Tips, and What Fans Should Know)

Dancing With the Stars (DWTS) remains one of the most beloved reality competition shows on television, blending celebrity entertainment, professional choreography, and a live audience experience. But one thing that has kept the show thriving for so many years is its interactive voting system, which allows fans at home to help choose each week’s winners and losers.

If you want to support your favorite celebrity-pro dancer pair but you're not fully sure how the voting system works, this comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know.

⭐ Why Voting Is So Important on Dancing With the Stars

Voting on DWTS isn’t just a side feature, it's one of the core elements of the show’s outcome. Each week’s elimination depends on a combination of:

Judges' scores

Audience votes

Both carry significant weight. That means:

A couple with high judges' scores can still go home if they don’t get enough votes.

A couple with lower scores can stay if fan support is strong.

For fans, this means your vote truly affects the competition, making DWTS one of the most interactive TV shows today.

🗳️ How Does Voting Work on Dancing With the Stars?

Each season follows a similar structure, but minor rules may change based on the broadcasting network (such as ABC or Disney+). Still, the voting methods usually remain consistent:

1. Online Voting

Online voting is the most widely used method.

Fans can vote during the live show via:

The official ABC website (if airing on ABC)

The official Disney+ voting page (if airing on Disney+)

Related voting portals for international streaming (where permitted)

✔️ Steps for Online Voting:

Visit the official voting page during the live broadcast.

Log in using a valid email address or streaming account.

Select your favorite couple(s).

Submit your votes before the voting window closes.

✔️ Requirements:

You must be inside the United States or its territories.

You need a valid login method.

You must vote during the live broadcast, not after.

Online voting usually allows:

Up to 10 votes per couple per email/account, though this may vary by season.

2. SMS/Text Message Voting

Some DWTS seasons also allow texting votes directly from your phone.

✔️ How It Works:

Send a text message with the celebrity’s first name or designated keyword.

Use the official DWTS voting number for that season.

Each phone number has a limited number of votes.

✔️ Example (Format Only):

Text “CELEBNAME” to “21523” (This is just an example format; the show provides the actual number.)

Note: Text voting is not available every season, so it depends on the show’s broadcast rules.

⏰ Voting Window: When You Can Vote

Voting is strictly time-limited to keep the competition fair.

Typically:

The voting window opens at the start of the live show.

Voting closes shortly after the final performance of the night.

Viewers on the West Coast sometimes follow the same live voting schedule, depending on the season's broadcast setup.

If you want your vote to count, you should always:

Vote early.

Check the official DWTS social media pages for weekly reminders.

💬 How Votes & Judges’ Scores Determine Results

DWTS uses a combined scoring system:

✔️ 1. Judges’ Scores

Each performance receives a score (usually out of 10 from each judge).

These scores are added up.

✔️ 2. Audience Votes

Every valid vote you cast counts as a point toward the couple.

✔️ Combined Scoring

The judges’ scores are converted into ranking points.

The audience votes are also converted into ranking points.

Then both values are added together.

The couples with the lowest combined total face elimination.

This system ensures a balance of:

Technical skill

Popularity

Engagement

🌟 Tips to Make Your DWTS Vote Count

If you’re serious about keeping your favorite team in the competition, here are helpful tips:

✔️ 1. Use All Your Votes

If you have 10 votes, use all 10.

Many eliminations are decided by small margins.

✔️ 2. Vote Every Week

Some fans vote heavily on premiere night but forget on later episodes.

Consistency matters.

✔️ 3. Double-Check Names/Codes When Text Voting

Misspelling a name makes your vote invalid.

✔️ 4. Encourage Friends & Family to Vote

Fan groups often organize voting parties to maximize impact.

✔️ 5. Log In Early

Voting sites sometimes experience high traffic, logging in early helps avoid issues.

🎉 Why Fans Love the DWTS Voting System

DWTS is unique because the audience is part of the show. Voting lets fans:

Support their favorite celebrities

Reward dancers who show improvement

Protect contestants who may not get high judges’ scores

Get more emotionally invested in each performance

It turns watching DWTS into a shared event, especially on social media where fans gather to discuss scores, routines, and weekly eliminations.

🎭 Does Voting Affect the Finale?

Absolutely.

In the finale, judges’ scores still play a role, but audience voting becomes more powerful than ever. High fan participation often determines the Mirrorball Trophy winner.

Couples with strong fan bases have historically advanced even when judges’ scores were not the highest.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions About DWTS Voting

1. Can I vote if I’m not in the U.S.?

Usually no, due to licensing restrictions. Most seasons limit voting to U.S. residents.

2. Can I vote for multiple couples?

Yes. You can distribute your votes however you’d like.

3. Do my votes carry over to the next week?

No. Each week is separate.

4. Is voting free?

Online voting is free.

Text messaging may incur carrier charges depending on your plan.

5. Do judges know how many votes a couple got?

No, vote counts are not publicly shared.

🏆 Final Thoughts: Why Your Vote Matters

Dancing With the Stars remains one of the few shows where fans truly shape the results. Whether you’re cheering for a breakout dancer, a fan-favorite celebrity, or a professional who deserves recognition, your vote helps determine who moves forward and who goes home.

If you love the show, make voting part of your weekly routine, it’s easy, fast, and impactful.