Dancing with the Stars is in its live Season 35 competition, with viewers helping determine which celebrity-pro dancer pair continues toward the Mirrorball Trophy.
The 2026 season premiered on September 15 and 16, with the first two eliminations taking place across the two-night launch. The competition continued with “Viral Hits Night” on September 22, when the remaining couples performed routines inspired by songs and moments that became widely known online.
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How Dancing with the Stars voting works
Eligible viewers can vote for their preferred couple through the official online voting site or by sending SMS text votes during the live episode.
Voting opens at 8 p.m. Eastern and Pacific time, or 7 p.m. Central time, when the live broadcast begins. It closes shortly after the final competitive dance of that episode. Votes are not accepted during later broadcasts, on-demand viewing or next-day streaming.
- Online voting is available through the official DWTS voting page.
- Text voting is available during the live voting window shown on the programme.
- Viewers must vote during the initial live simulcast.
- The voting window ends shortly after the last competitive performance.
Where to vote for Dancing with the Stars
Fans watching the live broadcast can vote online through ABC’s official DWTS voting platform. The show also accepts votes by SMS text message during the same voting period.
The live programme is simulcast on ABC and Disney+. Episodes are available afterward through streaming platforms, but those later viewings do not reopen voting for the completed episode.
When does DWTS voting close?
The deadline is tied to each episode rather than a separate day-long voting period. Viewers should submit their votes after watching the performances and before the final voting announcement closes the window.
That timing is particularly important this season because the show’s results are based on a combination of judges’ scores and viewer votes. A strong performance can still leave a couple vulnerable if it does not attract enough audience support.
Who is competing in Season 35?
The Season 35 cast includes actors, athletes, musicians, television personalities and online creators. The couples include Maura Higgins and Mark Ballas, Jenna Dewan and Val Chmerkovskiy, Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna Johnson, Amber Glenn and Pasha Pashkov, Giada De Laurentiis and Alan Bersten, and Taylor Hanson and Britt Stewart.
Other competing pairs include Tatyana Ali and Jan Ravnik, Tyler Cameron and Sharna Burgess, Ezra Frech and Daniella Karagach, Ciara Miller and Brandon Armstrong, Jackson Olson and Emma Slater, Guillermo Rodriguez and Witney Carson, Julia Stiles and Ezra Sosa, Connor Wood and Rylee Arnold, and Sarah Jane Nader and Hailey Bills.
Conner Leavitt and Adele Zaikman were eliminated during the first night of the premiere, while Sarah Jane Nader and Hailey Bills left during the second night. That reduced the field from 16 couples to 14 before the September 22 episode. The first-week elimination results reflected those departures.
When is the next Dancing with the Stars episode?
The next scheduled episode is “Yacht Rock Night,” airing Tuesday, September 29, 2026. The programme is scheduled for 8 p.m. Eastern and Pacific time, with the corresponding local broadcast time in Central time zones. Official episode information is available for Season 35.
Viewers who want to support a couple should watch the initial live broadcast and be ready to vote during that episode’s window. The official voting instructions may also be displayed on screen as the programme airs.
Can viewers in Canada vote?
The official voting instructions describe eligibility around the live ABC and Disney+ simulcast and do not establish a general international voting option. Canadian viewers should check the voting page and on-screen instructions available in their location before assuming that online or SMS voting will be accepted.
Watching the programme later through an on-demand service does not create a new voting opportunity. The safest approach is to verify availability at the start of the live episode and submit any eligible vote before the closing announcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I vote for Dancing with the Stars?
Vote online through the official DWTS voting page or by SMS text message during the live episode.
When does DWTS voting open?
Voting opens when the live episode begins, scheduled for 8 p.m. Eastern and Pacific time and 7 p.m. Central time.
When does Dancing with the Stars voting close?
Voting closes shortly after the episode’s final competitive dance.
Can I vote while watching DWTS on demand?
No. ABC says voting is limited to the initial live simulcast and is not available during later broadcasts or streaming.
What season of Dancing with the Stars is airing in 2026?
The current 2026 competition is Season 35. Season 34 aired in 2025.
Fact-Checked: Key dates, cast details, episode information and voting rules were checked against ABC and ABC Press materials.
Disclaimer: Voting eligibility, availability and deadlines can vary by location and are subject to the official instructions shown during each live episode.