So, you're ready to dive into the dazzling world of "Dancing With The Stars," not just as a viewer, but as an active participant helping to shape the competition? Excellent! Understanding How to Vote for Contestants on DWTS (General Guide) is crucial for any dedicated fan hoping to see their favorite couple hoist the coveted Mirrorball trophy. This isn't just about watching stunning performances; it's about making your voice heard and ensuring the most deserving dancers stay in the running. From the season 34 premiere on Tuesday, September 16, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+, with co-hosts Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough, and judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and Derek Hough, your vote truly matters.
At a Glance: Your DWTS Voting Essentials
- When to Vote: ONLY during the live initial simulcast on ABC and Disney+ (8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT).
- When Voting Closes: Immediately after the final competitive dance of the episode. No voting during re-broadcasts or next-day streaming!
- How to Vote (2 Ways): Online via the official website, or by Text (SMS).
- Vote Limit: Up to 10 votes per couple, per method, per episode.
- Crucial Step: Always verify your email for online voting.
- Online Vote Flexibility: You can change your online votes within the window.
- SMS Vote Permanence: Text votes are final once sent.
- Where to Find Keywords: Official website for text voting keywords.
Why Your Vote is the Undeniable Star of the Show
"Dancing With The Stars" thrives on audience engagement. While the judges—Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and Derek Hough—provide expert scores and critiques, it's a combination of their professional assessment and the viewers' collective voice that ultimately determines who advances and who is sent home. Your vote isn't just a number; it's a declaration of who you believe possesses the magic, the artistry, and the fight to make it to the top. It directly impacts which celebrity-pro pairs, including the dynamic new troupe featuring Carter Williams, Hailey Bills, Onye Stevenson, and Jaxon Willard, will continue their journey. Missing the voting window means missing your chance to champion your favorites.
Two Paths to Power: Online vs. Text Voting
The show offers two distinct, equally impactful methods for you to cast your ballot. Both are designed for ease of use, but each comes with its own set of specifics you'll want to master. Understanding these differences can prevent frustration and ensure your votes count every single time.
Casting Your Ballot Online: The Digital Dance Floor
For many, online voting is the most straightforward and preferred method. It offers a visual interface and the flexibility to adjust your choices, which can be a real game-changer if you have a last-minute change of heart after a particularly captivating performance.
Step-by-Step Online Voting Mastery:
- Navigate to the Official Hub: Your first move is to visit the official "Dancing With The Stars" voting website. This is the only legitimate portal for online votes, so bookmark it if you're a regular voter!
- Verify Your Identity (Email is Key): The system uses email verification to ensure fair play and prevent duplicate votes. You'll enter your email address on the voting page and then be prompted to check your inbox for a verification code. Type that code back into the voting page to confirm your email. This might feel like an extra step, but it's vital for securing your vote's integrity.
- Find Your Favorites: Once verified, you'll see a clear display of all the competing couples. Each couple will typically have a designated area where you can assign your votes.
- Allocate Your Votes: You have up to 10 votes per couple, per voting window. You can distribute these votes however you like:
- Give all 10 votes to one couple you absolutely adore.
- Split them, perhaps 5 votes for one couple and 5 for another.
- Spread them across multiple couples who impressed you.
- As a general tip, think about who needs your support the most, especially if a couple is consistently on the bubble. Sometimes, a focused effort, like when fans decide to Vote for Andy Richter on DWTS, can make a huge difference.
- Confirm and "Save Votes": This is a critical step! After you've assigned your votes, always click the "Save Votes" or "Submit Votes" button (wording may vary slightly but the intent is clear). Until you hit this button, your votes aren't officially cast.
- The Power of Modification: One of the biggest perks of online voting is the ability to change your mind. If you submit votes, then a later performance completely blows you away, you can go back to the voting website, adjust your allocations, and click "Save Votes" again. Just remember, this flexibility only lasts as long as the voting window is open.
Texting Your Support: The SMS Shortcut
For those who prefer the immediacy of their phone, text (SMS) voting is a quick and direct way to support your chosen pair. While it lacks the flexibility of online voting, its speed can be advantageous if you're voting on the go or just prefer a no-frills approach.
Text (SMS) Voting in Detail:
- Know Your Keyword: Each competing couple is assigned a unique text keyword. These keywords are prominently displayed on the official "Dancing With The Stars" website, often flashed on screen during the broadcast, and mentioned by the hosts. You must use the correct keyword for your vote to register for the right couple.
- Send to the Right Number: All text votes are sent to the same dedicated number: 21523. Double-check this number before sending your text.
- Your First Vote Confirmed: After you send your first text vote for a specific couple during an episode's voting window, you'll receive a confirmation message. This is your assurance that your vote was received.
- Maximum Impact (10 Votes): Just like online voting, you can send up to 10 text votes per couple, per episode. Feel free to send 10 separate texts for one couple or distribute them among multiple pairs.
- Reaching Your Limit: To help you keep track, you'll receive a notification message once you've reached the 10-vote limit for a particular couple. This prevents accidental over-voting.
- No Turning Back: A key difference from online voting is that SMS text votes cannot be changed once submitted. Think of it as a final decision. Make sure you're confident in your choice before hitting send!
The Clock is Ticking: Mastering the Voting Window
This is arguably the single most critical piece of information for any DWTS voter. Many viewers miss their chance because they misunderstand when voting is active. Don't be one of them!
The Golden Rule of DWTS Voting:
Voting is available ONLY during the initial live simulcast of "Dancing With The Stars" on ABC and Disney+.
- Start Time: The voting window opens precisely at the beginning of the show: 8 p.m. ET (Eastern Time) and 7 p.m. CT (Central Time).
- End Time: The window slams shut immediately after the final competitive dance of each episode. There's no grace period, no extra minutes. Once the last couple finishes their routine and the hosts move on, voting is over.
What This Means for You:
- No Rebroadcast Voting: If you're watching a re-broadcast of the show later in the week, or catching up on demand, your chance to vote has passed. The show you're watching is no longer live.
- No Hulu Voting: Streaming the show on Hulu the next day? That's also too late for voting. Hulu's stream is considered a catch-up service, not part of the live simulcast voting window.
- Time Zone Awareness: If you're on Mountain (MT) or Pacific (PT) time, the show might air earlier or later for you, but the voting window still adheres to ET/CT. This means you might need to vote before the show fully airs in your local time zone if you're outside ET/CT, or be acutely aware of the ET/CT cut-off. It’s always best to vote during the first available live broadcast for your region that aligns with the ET/CT window.
- Be Ready: Have your devices charged, your email ready for verification, and your text keywords handy before the show starts. Don't wait until the last dance to figure out the system.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid (and How to Sidestep Them)
Even seasoned fans can trip up. Here’s how to ensure your votes always hit their mark:
- Missing the Window: This is the most common mistake. Set an alarm! Make a calendar reminder! Just remember: live show, live vote.
- Incorrect Text Keywords: Double-check the keyword on the official website. A typo means your vote goes nowhere (or to the wrong couple!).
- Unverified Email (Online): If you don't complete the email verification, your online votes won't count. Always enter that code!
- Forgetting to "Save Votes": For online voting, if you allocate votes but don't click the "Save" or "Submit" button, your efforts are in vain. It's like writing a letter but forgetting to mail it.
- Exceeding the Vote Limit: While the system often notifies you, trying to cast more than 10 votes per couple per method won't help; only the first 10 will count. Focus your 10 wisely.
- Voting on the Wrong Platform: Remember, voting is only through the official website or the designated text number. Don't fall for unofficial polls or social media campaigns that claim to count as official votes.
Troubleshooting Your Vote: When Things Go Wrong
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, technology can be tricky. If you encounter an issue while trying to vote:
- Check Your Connection: For online voting, ensure your internet connection is stable. For text voting, confirm you have cellular service.
- Clear Your Cache/Try Another Browser: If the website is acting strange, sometimes clearing your browser's cache or trying a different web browser can resolve technical glitches.
- Restart Your Device: The age-old tech support advice: sometimes, a quick restart can fix minor software hiccups.
- Contact Support: If you're facing persistent problems with online voting, the official channel for assistance is
abc.com/support/contact. They are best equipped to help with platform-specific issues.
Your Influence on the Mirrorball Dream
Remember, "Dancing With The Stars" is more than just a competition; it's a journey. Each week, couples pour their hearts and souls into their routines, striving to impress both the judges and you, the home audience. Your votes directly contribute to the narrative, deciding who gets another week to learn, grow, and shine.
By diligently following these guidelines, understanding the rules, and being mindful of that critical voting window, you become an integral part of the show. So, get ready to settle in, enjoy the incredible dances, and confidently cast your votes to help crown the next Mirrorball champion! Your dedication helps keep the magic of DWTS alive, ensuring that the most deserving performers get their moment in the spotlight.