Season 34 of Dancing With the Stars premiered on September 16, 2025, on ABC and Disney+, bringing back fan-favorite hosts Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough, along with judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli. This season features a diverse cast of celebrities, including social media influencers, Olympic athletes, and beloved actors, all paired with professional dancers to compete for the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy. Viewer votes play a crucial role in determining which couples stay in the competition each week, combined with the judges’ scores. Here’s a complete guide on how to make sure your votes count.
Voting Methods for DWTS Season 34
There are two primary methods to vote for your favorite couples on Dancing With the Stars Season 34: online voting and SMS text voting. Both methods are available only during the live broadcast of the show. Each method allows up to 10 votes per couple per episode, meaning viewers can cast a total of 20 votes per couple each week. This system ensures that fan support can significantly influence which couples advance in the competition.
Online voting is conducted through the official ABC voting website. To vote online, viewers need to visit dwtsvote.abc.com during the live broadcast. The site requires voters to log in or create an account, and a verification code is sent via email to confirm the voter’s identity. Once verified, voters can select their favorite couples and submit their votes. The online platform allows voters to change their selections at any time during the voting window by clicking the “Save Votes” button after making adjustments.
For those who prefer texting, SMS voting is available by sending a text message to 21523 with the specific keyword for the contestant they wish to support. Each text message counts as one vote, and voters will receive a confirmation message after their first vote for a couple during each voting window. Standard messaging rates apply, and this method is available only to viewers in the United States and its territories, such as Puerto Rico.
When to Vote
The voting window for Dancing With the Stars Season 34 opens at the start of the live simulcast on ABC and Disney+ at 8 PM ET/7 PM CT and closes immediately after the final competitive dance of the episode. This typically occurs during the last commercial break of the broadcast. It is important to note that voting is not available during rebroadcasts or when streaming the episode on Hulu, which becomes available the day after the live airing.
The votes from the first two weeks of the season are combined to determine the first elimination, making early participation crucial for couples who may need extra support. Subsequent eliminations are based on the combined scores from the judges and viewer votes from each individual week. The voting process is designed to be straightforward, ensuring that fans can easily support their favorite dancers without any unnecessary complications.
This Season’s Cast and Partnerships
The cast of Dancing With the Stars Season 34 includes 14 celebrities, each paired with a professional dancer. The pairs are as follows:
- Jen Affleck (reality TV star) with Jan Ravnik
- Hilaria Baldwin (yoga instructor and author) with Gleb Savchenko
- Jordan Chiles (Olympic gymnast) with Ezra Sosa
- Baron Davis (former NBA player) with Britt Stewart
- Alix Earle (social media personality) with Val Chmerkovskiy
- Dylan Efron (reality TV star) with Daniella Karagach
- Corey Feldman (actor and musician) with Jenna Johnson
- Danielle Fishel (actress) with Pasha Pashkov
- Elaine Hendrix (actress) with Alan Bersten
- Scott Hoying (singer from Pentatonix) with Rylee Arnold
- Robert Irwin (wildlife conservationist) with Witney Carson
- Lauren Jauregui (singer from Fifth Harmony) with Brandon Armstrong
- Whitney Leavitt (reality TV star) with Mark Ballas
- Andy Richter (comedian) with Emma Slater
The professional dancers include both returning veterans and new additions. Mark Ballas returns after winning Season 31 with Charli D’Amelio, while Jan Ravnik joins as a first-time pro after working as a backup dancer for Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour.
How Voting Impacts the Competition
Viewer votes account for 50% of a couple’s total score each week, with the other 50% coming from the judges’ scores. The combination of these scores determines which couple is eliminated each week. The couple with the lowest combined total is sent home. This system ensures that while technical skill is important, audience support can make a significant difference, especially for couples who may not top the judges’ leaderboard.
In the season premiere, which aired on September 16, 2025, the judges’ scores were based on a 20-point scale instead of the usual 30-point scale due to judge Carrie Ann Inaba’s absence. The scores from Week 1 were carried over to Week 2, and the first elimination was based on the combined scores from both weeks. The couples performed dances such as the Cha-Cha, Tango, Salsa, and Jive to songs that represented their personal anthems.
Accessibility and International Viewers
Voting for Dancing With the Stars is limited to U.S. residents aged 18 and older, including those in U.S. territories. International viewers, such as those in Canada, can watch the show through local broadcasters or streaming services but cannot participate in the live voting process. For these viewers, the episodes are available for streaming on Hulu the day after they air live.
The show’s availability on Disney+ has expanded its reach, allowing more viewers to watch the simulcast live. However, the voting process remains focused on the U.S. audience to maintain fairness in the competition. The producers have emphasized that the voting system is designed to be as inclusive as possible for eligible viewers while ensuring the integrity of the results.
Troubleshooting Voting Issues
If voters encounter any issues while trying to vote, such as problems with the website or text messaging, they are encouraged to contact the ABC Help Center for assistance. The online voting platform is designed to be user-friendly, but technical issues can occasionally arise. Similarly, if text votes are not being registered, voters should ensure they are using the correct keywords and that their messages are being sent to the right number.
It is also important for voters to remember that they can redistribute their votes online during the voting window by simply updating their selections and clicking “Save Votes.” However, once a text vote is sent, it cannot be changed. This makes the online method more flexible for voters who might want to adjust their support based on the performances they see during the live show.
The Importance of Fan Participation
Fan voting has always been a core element of Dancing With the Stars, allowing viewers to feel directly involved in the competition. The show’s producers have noted that voter engagement has reached record levels in recent seasons, with over 32 million votes cast during the Season 33 finale. This high level of participation highlights the show’s enduring popularity and the passion of its fanbase.
The voting process not only influences eliminations but also helps build a connection between the celebrities and their supporters. Many contestants actively campaign for votes on social media, sharing behind-the-scenes content and personal stories to engage their fans. This interaction adds an extra layer of excitement to the competition, making each episode a dynamic and interactive experience for viewers.
Where to Watch the Show
Dancing With the Stars Season 34 airs live on ABC and Disney+ every Tuesday at 8 PM ET/7 PM CT. For those who cannot watch live, the episodes are available for streaming on Hulu the following day. The show is also available on demand through various platforms, allowing viewers to catch up at their convenience.
The series continues to be a flagship program for ABC, drawing millions of viewers each week. Its move to include a simulcast on Disney+ has helped it reach a broader and younger audience, ensuring that it remains a relevant and influential part of reality television.
Also Read: Kpop Demon Hunters Fans Upset Over ChatGPT Use in “Soda Pop” Song
Credits: Forbes
