ABC voting Dancing with the Stars remains closely tied to the show’s live broadcast, giving eligible viewers a direct role in determining which Season 35 couples continue competing for the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy. As of September 30, 2026, ABC’s official voting page shows that the latest voting period has ended and says voting will reopen when the series returns live on Tuesday at 8/7c. The show continues to air on ABC and Disney+ during its regular Tuesday schedule.
The voting system is designed around the live broadcast rather than an always-open online ballot. That means viewers cannot submit votes whenever they choose or return to a completed episode later and cast a ballot. The timing of each voting window matters, particularly for fans who follow the competition through streaming.
Season 35 is now underway with the competition moving through its early weeks. The season began with 16 celebrity contestants and a special two-night premiere before settling into its regular Tuesday schedule. ABC lists the show at 8 p.m. Eastern and 7 p.m. Central.
For viewers looking for the latest information about voting, the central details are the same: voting takes place during the live show, eligible viewers can use online voting, and SMS voting is also available to qualifying viewers in the United States and its territories.
Is Dancing With the Stars Voting Open Right Now?
No. The latest ABC voting status shows that voting is currently closed.
ABC’s official voting page states that voting is available only during the live show and that the voting period for the current week has ended. The page also directs viewers to the next live episode, when voting will become available again.
This schedule means fans should not expect the voting page to accept ballots between episodes. Once the voting period ends, viewers must wait until the next live broadcast.
The next voting opportunity will begin when Dancing with the Stars returns live Tuesday at 8/7c.
That timing is particularly important because Season 35 is moving quickly. Each weekly episode can bring another elimination, making the live voting window an important part of the competition.
How ABC Voting Works on Dancing With the Stars
The Season 35 voting process combines audience participation with the judges’ scores.
During a live episode, viewers can vote for the couples they want to support. Those votes are combined with judges’ scores when the show determines which couples remain in the competition.
ABC does not operate the voting system as a general online poll that stays open for several days. Instead, voting begins during the live broadcast and ends shortly after the final competitive dance.
That structure encourages viewers to watch the live episode and participate while the competition is happening.
There are two primary ways to vote:
- Online through the official ABC voting platform
- By text message through SMS voting
Each method has its own requirements and limits.
How to Vote Online
Online voting is available through ABC’s official Dancing with the Stars voting platform.
Viewers need an ABC account to participate. New users must complete the account verification process before voting.
The process generally involves opening the official voting page, signing in or creating an account, verifying the account through email and then selecting the couples to receive votes.
Once the ballot appears, viewers can distribute their available votes among the eligible couples.
The important final step is saving the selections.
ABC allows online voters to adjust their selections during the active voting period. However, changes need to be saved before the voting window closes.
A viewer who changes a ballot but fails to save the updated selections should not assume that the new allocation has been recorded.
How Many Online Votes Can You Give?
ABC’s current voting rules allow up to 10 online votes per couple during a voting window.
Those votes do not have to go to just one couple.
A viewer can distribute votes among several couples based on their preferences. The voting interface allows the available votes to be allocated before the ballot is saved.
For example, an eligible viewer could assign votes to multiple couples instead of putting all available votes behind one contestant.
The 10-vote limit applies to each couple for the online voting method.
ABC also permits eligible members of the same household to participate through their own accounts, provided they meet the applicable requirements.
How Does Text Voting Work?
SMS voting gives eligible viewers another way to participate while the live episode is airing.
During the applicable voting window, each participating celebrity receives a voting keyword. Viewers can send the appropriate keyword by text message to the official voting number displayed during the broadcast.
A successful text submission counts as a vote.
The SMS system is intended for eligible viewers in the United States and its territories who use participating wireless carriers. Canadian viewers can participate through online voting but cannot use the SMS method.
Text voting also has a limit.
Viewers can send up to 10 SMS votes per couple during the applicable voting period.
Because text votes are submitted individually, viewers should make sure they are using the current keyword shown for the active episode.
Old voting keywords should not be relied upon for a new episode.
Can You Use Online and Text Voting Together?
Yes. Eligible viewers can use both voting methods.
The current system provides up to 10 online votes per couple and up to 10 SMS votes per couple.
That means a viewer who qualifies for both methods can cast as many as 20 votes for an individual couple during a voting period.
The two methods operate differently.
Online votes can be adjusted while the voting window remains open. Text votes cannot be changed after they have been submitted.
This distinction can be useful for viewers who want to review their online ballot before the deadline.
Who Is Eligible to Vote?
ABC establishes eligibility requirements for viewers who want to participate.
For online voting, eligible viewers must generally meet the applicable age and location requirements. ABC’s current information states that online voting is available to viewers who are at least 18 years old and physically located in the United States, its territories or Canada.
SMS voting has a more limited geographic reach.
Text voting is available to eligible viewers physically located in the United States and its territories who use a participating wireless carrier.
Canadian viewers can vote online but do not have access to the SMS voting option.
These requirements are important because simply watching the program from another location does not automatically make a viewer eligible to vote.
When Does Voting Open?
Voting opens when the live episode begins.
ABC’s current schedule places the regular Season 35 broadcast at 8 p.m. Eastern and 7 p.m. Central on Tuesdays.
The voting window is connected to that live broadcast.
Viewers should therefore be ready to vote when the episode starts rather than waiting until the following day.
The official ABC voting page provides the current status of the ballot and indicates when the next voting period will become available.
When Does Voting Close?
The voting period closes shortly after the final competitive dance of the episode.
This is one of the most important details for fans who plan to participate.
The ballot does not remain open until the following Tuesday.
Once the voting period closes, viewers cannot submit additional votes for that episode. They must wait for the next live show.
The system also means that watching an episode later does not create a new voting opportunity.
Why Live Voting Matters in Season 35
Season 35 started with 16 celebrities competing alongside professional dancers.
The premiere was divided into two nights, with the male celebrities competing on the first night and the female celebrities making their competition debuts on the second.
Each premiere episode included an elimination.
The season then moved into its second week with 14 remaining couples.
The September 22 episode, titled “Viral Hits Night,” featured the remaining couples performing to songs associated with major online and social-media trends.
That episode ended with Giada De Laurentiis and Alan Bersten being eliminated.
The result demonstrated the importance of the audience component because the elimination process combines judges’ scores with viewer voting.
Season 35 Voting So Far
The early weeks of Season 35 have already produced several eliminations.
Conner Leavitt became the first celebrity eliminated during the September 15 premiere episode.
Sarah Jane Nader and professional partner Hailey Bills were eliminated during the second night of the premiere.
The competition then moved forward with 14 couples.
On September 22, Giada De Laurentiis and Alan Bersten became the next couple eliminated after “Viral Hits Night.”
That left 13 couples moving into the following week.
The early results also show why viewers need to pay attention to each episode. The voting opportunity is tied to a specific live broadcast, and each episode can change the lineup.
What Happened During the Early Voting Problems?
Voting problems affected the first night of the Season 35 premiere.
Online voting experienced difficulties during the opening night, and the issue became part of the live broadcast discussion. By the second premiere night, online voting was reported as operational again.
The situation highlighted the importance of having more than one voting option.
SMS voting provides an alternative for eligible viewers when text voting is available.
For future episodes, viewers should check the official ABC voting platform during the broadcast to confirm that the online ballot is active.
What Is the Current Season 35 Schedule?
ABC currently lists Dancing with the Stars as a Tuesday-night program.
The regular broadcast time is:
| Information | Current Schedule |
|---|---|
| Network | ABC |
| Streaming | Disney+ |
| Regular day | Tuesday |
| Eastern Time | 8 p.m. |
| Central Time | 7 p.m. |
| Voting | During the live show |
| Later viewing | Available after the live broadcast |
ABC’s current program page lists Season 35 episodes and identifies the series as airing Tuesdays at 8/7c.
The show is also available through Disney+.
For viewers following voting, the live schedule matters more than the later streaming availability because voting does not remain open after the designated live window.
Can You Vote After Watching on Demand?
No.
Watching an episode later does not reopen its voting period.
ABC’s voting system is designed around the initial live broadcast.
This distinction can be easy to miss for viewers who watch through streaming services. A person may be able to watch the entire episode after the live broadcast has ended, but that does not mean the voting ballot remains available.
Anyone who wants to vote should participate during the live broadcast.
Can You Change Online Votes?
Yes.
Online voting gives viewers the ability to adjust their selections while the voting window remains open.
A voter can redistribute votes among eligible couples before the deadline.
However, the updated ballot must be saved.
Text votes work differently. Once an SMS vote has been sent, it cannot be edited or withdrawn.
This makes it especially important to check the intended voting keyword before sending a text.
Do You Need Disney+ to Vote?
No.
A Disney+ subscription is not required simply to participate in the voting process.
ABC provides its own voting platform for eligible viewers.
Disney+ serves as one of the ways viewers can watch the live program, but viewing access and voting eligibility are separate matters.
A viewer should follow ABC’s voting requirements regardless of which platform they use to watch the show.
What Should Viewers Do Before the Next Live Episode?
Fans who intend to vote can prepare before the next episode begins.
Creating an ABC account ahead of time can help avoid delays during the live voting window.
Viewers should also make sure they have access to the email account associated with their ABC account in case verification is required.
For people planning to vote by text, having a participating U.S. wireless carrier is necessary.
It is also useful to remember the basic limits:
- Up to 10 online votes per couple
- Up to 10 SMS votes per couple
- Both methods can be used by eligible viewers
- Online votes can be changed while voting remains open
- SMS votes cannot be changed after submission
The most important step is to vote before the official deadline.
Where Should Fans Check for Voting Updates?
The official ABC voting page remains the central place to check the status of the ballot.
The page indicates whether voting is open or closed.
When voting is active, the platform provides the ballot and relevant voting information.
When voting closes, the page displays the closed status and identifies the next opportunity.
That makes the official ABC platform more useful than relying on old social-media posts or voting instructions from previous episodes.
Voting keywords and episode-specific details can change, so viewers should always use the information displayed for the current live broadcast.
What Happens Next for Season 35?
Season 35 continues its Tuesday-night run on ABC and Disney+.
The next live voting opportunity will occur when the show returns for its next scheduled episode.
The official ABC voting page currently identifies the next voting window as opening when Dancing with the Stars returns live Tuesday at 8/7c.
The season is still in its early stage, so the field of competing couples remains subject to weekly eliminations.
For viewers, the process remains straightforward: watch the live episode, wait for the voting window to open, select the eligible couples, save online votes when using the website, or use the applicable SMS option.
The current voting status should always be checked before attempting to submit a ballot.
If you’re following the latest Dancing With the Stars developments, you can also learn more about Guillermo and his journey on the show in our latest coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ABC voting Dancing with the Stars open today?
No. The current ABC voting page shows that the latest voting period has closed. Voting will reopen during the next live episode.
How many online votes can I give a Dancing With the Stars couple?
Eligible viewers can cast up to 10 online votes for each couple during the voting window.
How many text votes can I send?
Eligible viewers can submit up to 10 SMS votes for each couple during the applicable live voting period.
Can I vote online and by text?
Yes. Eligible viewers can use both available voting methods, subject to ABC’s rules and the applicable geographic and carrier requirements.
Can Canadian viewers vote?
Canadian viewers can participate through online voting. ABC’s current rules do not provide SMS voting for viewers in Canada.
Can I vote after the episode ends?
No. The voting period closes shortly after the final competitive dance, so viewers must vote during the live broadcast.
Can I change my online votes?
Yes. Online selections can be adjusted while the voting period remains open. The updated selections must be saved.
Can I change a text vote after sending it?
No. SMS votes cannot be changed after submission.
Do I need Disney+ to vote?
No. Disney+ is a viewing platform and is not required simply to participate in ABC’s voting process.
When does Season 35 air?
Season 35 airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. Eastern and 7 p.m. Central on ABC and Disney+.
Why is voting closed between episodes?
ABC’s voting system operates only during the designated live voting window. Once that period ends, viewers must wait for the next live episode.
Where can I check whether voting is open?
The official ABC Dancing with the Stars voting page provides the current voting status and opens the ballot during the designated live voting period.
The Season 35 competition is continuing to develop week by week, with audience voting remaining an important part of the show’s elimination process. For viewers who want their votes counted, the key is to follow the live schedule and participate before the voting window closes.
Are you ready to cast your vote during the next live episode? Share which Season 35 couple you are supporting and stay tuned for the latest voting updates.