When viewers head into the live event and go to abc.com vote Dancing With The Stars, they’re engaging with the official fan-voting hub for the grand finale of Season 34 of Dancing With The Stars. This year’s finale delivers high drama, intensified competition, and direct audience input through online and text voting options. Below is everything U.S. fans need to know about how the vote works, when it opens and closes, and why your participation matters.
How to Access the Voting Portal
If you’re ready to cast your ballot via the abc.com vote Dancing With The Stars portal, here’s how to do it:
- Visit the dedicated website (dwtsvote.abc.com) during the live show.
- Log in or create a free ABC account if you don’t already have one.
- Once logged in, select the couple you wish to support and click the “Save Votes” button.
- Note that voting is open only during the live broadcast (in the Eastern / Central time zones) and will close shortly after the final dance of the night.
- You may also choose to vote via SMS: in the U.S. and its territories, text the contestant’s first name to 21523. Online and text votes each count as separate methods.
Timing and Broadcast Details for the Finale
The Season 34 finale of Dancing With The Stars airs Tuesday, November 25, 2025, beginning at 8:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. CT on ABC and streaming live on Disney+. The event is slated to run three hours, featuring the last five celebrity-professional duos in competition. Voting via the abc.com vote Dancing With The Stars portal opens when the broadcast starts and closes after the final performance and commercial break. Votes cast during any replay, delayed broadcast or streaming after the initial airing are not counted.
Competition Format: What to Expect Tonight
This finale brings a fresh structure to the ballroom battle. The five remaining teams will perform in three distinct rounds:
- Judges’ Choice Round: Each couple revisits a dance style previously performed this season and seeks to improve under guidance from the judges.
- Instant Dance Challenge: The couples are surprised live with a new song and dance style and must perform with minimal preparation.
- Freestyle Round: The final performance allows full creative freedom—no rules, no constraints, designed to deliver a memorable last impression.
Behind‐the‐scenes commentators note this is the most demanding finale format the show has used, underlining how important the viewer vote component is.
Voting Rules & Eligibility Requirements
To ensure your vote via the abc.com vote Dancing With The Stars portal counts, here are the rules:
- You must be 18 years or older to vote online.
- Online voting is open to viewers in the U.S., U.S. territories and Canada; SMS voting is strictly for U.S. viewers and territories only.
- Each eligible viewer may cast up to 10 votes per couple via the website, and another up to 10 votes per couple via SMS—giving a possible total of 20 votes per couple if both methods are used.
- Voting is available only during the live simulcast in the Eastern and Central time zones. If you’re watching on the West Coast after the initial live broadcast, your votes will not be counted.
- Online votes may be changed during the broadcast by selecting new totals and clicking “Save Votes” again; SMS votes cannot be rescinded once submitted.
- Votes submitted outside the live broadcast window (delayed playback or streaming later) will be disqualified.
Why Your Vote Matters More Than Ever
The viewer vote through abc.com vote Dancing With The Stars is a critical component of the final outcome. The show combines judges’ scores and viewer votes to determine the winner. That means if you’ve been rooting for a particular contestant all season, your participation might be the decisive factor in whether they lift the Mirrorball Trophy. Given the format with three rounds and five finalists, every vote has amplified significance this year.
Quick Checklist for Voting Success
Before showtime, here are some practical steps to ensure your vote via the abc.com vote Dancing With The Stars portal goes smoothly:
- Log in and verify your ABC account ahead of the broadcast.
- Confirm you’re watching the live airing (not a delayed stream or recording).
- For SMS voting, have your phone ready and make sure your carrier supports the text line (21523).
- Choose your preferred couple in advance and be sure of the exact keyword required for texting.
- Decide whether you’ll use one method only or both (online + SMS) to maximize your impact.
- Be sure to hit “Save Votes” online after your selection; check for confirmation.
- Vote as early as possible during the window—any delay can risk connection/submit issues near the end.
Final Thoughts
When it’s time to engage with the abc.com vote Dancing With The Stars system tonight, you’re not just watching—you’re helping decide the winner. With the three-round finale format, the live broadcast requirement, and limited window to vote, the stakes feel higher than ever. Get ready, cast your vote, and be part of the moment when one duo becomes the Season 34 champion.