Season 34 of Dancing With the Stars has officially begun, and with it comes the return of one of the most exciting traditions for fans: Dancing With the Stars voting. Each week, viewers have the power to decide which celebrity-professional dance pairs stay in the competition. While the judges’ scores are important, fan votes often play a deciding role in who advances and who is sent home.
This season’s premiere kicked off on September 16, 2025, bringing a new mix of celebrities to the ballroom and once again giving the audience a critical voice through voting. If you want to make sure your favorite contestant makes it to the finals, here’s everything you need to know about the updated rules, voting times, and how to cast your support.
How Dancing With the Stars Voting Works
Voting follows a clear structure that ensures fairness and fan participation. Here are the essentials:
- Voting opens at the start of the live show: 8:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. CT.
- Voting closes after the final couple has danced: once the last performance is complete, the window ends.
- Voting is live only: only viewers watching in the Eastern and Central time zones during the live broadcast can participate.
This format ensures that votes reflect the excitement of the live performances and prevents late or delayed votes from influencing the outcome.
Who Can Vote
Voting is available for fans who meet certain requirements:
- You must be at least 18 years old.
- You must live in the United States, its territories, or Canada.
- Each household can vote using approved methods, but only within the official time window.
This means international viewers outside these regions can enjoy the show but cannot directly impact the competition.
Voting Methods Explained
Fans have two ways to participate in Dancing With the Stars voting:
- Online Voting
Viewers can log in to the official voting website and select their favorite couple. Online voting is quick and allows you to distribute votes across multiple couples or dedicate them all to one. - Text (SMS) Voting
In the U.S. and its territories, fans can text the first name of the celebrity contestant to a designated number. Each text counts as one vote, making it easy for fans watching at home to cast support in real time.
Both methods are free, aside from standard text message rates, and are designed to make participation simple and accessible.
How Many Votes Can You Cast?
Each week, fans can vote up to 10 times per couple per method. That means:
- 10 votes through the official website
- 10 votes through text messaging
This gives fans the chance to cast as many as 20 votes total for one couple per week. Some choose to split their votes among multiple pairs, while others dedicate all their votes to one favorite contestant.
Why Your Vote Matters
While the judges’ scores set the foundation, Dancing With the Stars voting often changes the trajectory of the competition. A high-scoring couple can be eliminated early if they don’t secure enough fan support, while a lower-scoring pair with passionate fans can survive week after week.
Every season has proven that audience involvement is just as important as dance technique. With razor-thin margins often separating contestants, a handful of votes can mean the difference between advancing and going home.
Season 34 Cast and Voting Stakes
This year’s celebrity lineup is one of the most diverse and exciting in recent memory. Contestants include Olympic medalist Jordan Chiles, actor Danielle Fishel, wildlife conservationist Robert Irwin, influencer Alix Earle, and actor Elaine Hendrix, among others.
The mix of athletes, entertainers, and internet personalities creates unique fan bases, and that makes Dancing With the Stars voting especially competitive. For example:
- Athletes often earn support for their discipline and determination.
- Actors bring decades-long fan loyalty.
- Influencers bring massive online communities ready to vote in real time.
This blend guarantees that the competition will be driven as much by public engagement as by dance scores.
What’s New for This Season
Several updates are shaping the way fans approach voting this year:
- Simultaneous broadcast and streaming: The show airs live on both ABC and Disney+, while episodes are available on Hulu afterward. Voting, however, remains restricted to the live broadcast window only.
- Strict timing rules: Votes outside the live window do not count, even for those streaming later in the evening.
- Judging surprises: With Carrie Ann Inaba missing the premiere due to illness and Bruno Tonioli briefly causing controversy with a scoring error, fans have been reminded that voting can make all the difference when unexpected moments happen.
Key Facts About Dancing With the Stars Voting
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Voting start time | 8:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. CT when live show begins |
| Voting end time | After final performance of the night |
| Who can vote | Viewers 18+ in the U.S., territories, or Canada |
| Methods available | Online voting and SMS text voting |
| Votes per method | 10 votes per couple per method |
| Max total votes | 20 votes per couple each week (10 online + 10 text) |
Why Fans Love the Voting Experience
For many, voting is more than just clicking a button or sending a text. It’s about becoming part of the journey. Week after week, viewers rally on social media, organize voting campaigns, and encourage friends and family to support their favorite contestants.
This sense of community makes Dancing With the Stars voting one of the most interactive and exciting aspects of the show. It transforms fans from passive viewers into active participants who can genuinely change the outcome.
Final Thoughts
As Season 34 continues, voting will remain at the heart of the competition. Whether you are cheering for an athlete, a beloved TV star, or a rising influencer, your votes are what keep them on the dance floor. Every fan counts, and every single vote matters.
So as the next live episode airs, don’t just watch—cast your support and help shape the story of this season. Who knows? Your dedication might be the reason your favorite couple lifts the Mirrorball Trophy in the finale.