The voting process for Dancing with the Stars (DWTS) involves a combination of judges' scores and audience votes, with each contributing 50% to the total score determining which couples advance or face elimination each week. Fans can vote through multiple methods such as online voting via the official DWTS website or mobile app, and text message voting by sending a designated keyword to a specific number. Each viewer can cast up to 10 votes per couple through each voting method, allowing a maximum of 20 votes per couple per week. Voting generally opens during the live show and closes shortly after performances conclude. The judges score performances on a 1 to 10 scale, and these scores are combined with normalized audience votes to rank the couples and decide who lands in the bottom and is at risk of elimination. The public voting holds significant sway, meaning a couple can be eliminated even if they score high with the judges. Voting rules and options may vary slightly by season, but the fundamental process remains a blend of judges' evaluation and fan voting engagement.
