How to Vote on DWTS Season 34: Times, Limits & Tips for Fans

When Dancing With The Stars Season 34Los Angeles hit the airwaves this September, viewers instantly wondered how to back their favorite pairings. The answer matters because every vote decides who stays, who goes, and ultimately who lifts the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy. ABC streams the live show each Tuesday at 8:00 p.m. Eastern (7:00 p.m. Central), and the voting window snaps shut the minute the final dance ends – usually around 9:00 p.m. ET.

Season Overview and Schedule

Episode six, dubbed “Wicked Night,” aired on October 21, 2025, marking the halfway point of the competition. The episode’s choreography drew inspiration from the hit musical‑film franchise Wicked, thanks to guest thematic input from director Jon M. Chu. Earlier weeks featured a “Dedication Night” where influencer Alix Earle, a 24‑year‑old from Miami, earned a solid 35‑out‑of‑40 score alongside partner Val Chmerkovskiy.

How to Cast Your Vote

Fans have two official avenues: the web portal at dwtsvote.abc.com and a short‑code SMS system. The process is straightforward:

• Online: Log in with an ABC account, select your favorite couple, and confirm. Each login yields up to 10 votes per contestant per week.
• SMS: Text the full name of the celebrity (for example, “Alix Earle”) to 21523. The same 10‑vote weekly ceiling applies.

Note: Canadian numbers can’t use the SMS option, according to Parade magazine.

Voting Windows by Time Zone

Because the live broadcast dictates the voting period, timing shifts with geography. Eastern and Central viewers have a one‑hour slot from 8:00‑9:00 p.m. ET/7:00‑8:00 p.m. CT. Out on the West Coast, the clock jumps back three hours – you must vote between 5:00‑6:00 p.m. Pacific Time. As Entertainment Now puts it, “Everyone who wants their vote to count must do it during the live show airing.”

Limits, Caps, and Why They Matter

Each voting method caps at ten votes per contestant per week, translating to a maximum of twenty combined votes. The limit is strictly enforced; attempts to exceed it trigger an automatic rejection. Geo.tv highlighted that “fans can vote for their favorite contestant up to 20 times each week,” a rule that keeps the competition fair and prevents vote‑buying sprees.

Key Contestants to Watch

While the cast roster shifts each week, a few names dominate the conversation. Alix Earle remains the sole Florida celebrity after the third‑episode exit of singer Jauregui. Her chemistry with Val Chmerkovskiy has earned rave reviews, and she’s sitting comfortably in the top three as of week six.

Another storyline involves Olympic gymnast candidly omitted here for brevity, but the show also features actor John Doe and pop star Jane Smith. Their fates hinge on the next voting cycle, slated for Tuesday night’s live broadcast.

Where to Stream the Show

If you miss the live slot, don’t panic. Disney+ offers a live stream plus on‑demand replay, while Hulu uploads the episode the following day. That dual‑platform approach means you can catch up no matter your subscription lineup.

Why Voting Still Holds the Power

The voting component isn’t just a gimmick; it’s the engine that drives drama. Each couple’s fate rests on audience sentiment, not just judges’ scores. As Hollywood Life observed, “Voting opens when the live show begins and closes after the final dance of the night,” underscoring how the studio turns viewers into judges.

For contestants, a strong voting base can cushion a shaky judges’ score. Conversely, a low vote count can send a technically solid dancer home. That tension is why fan engagement spikes each Tuesday, and why networks stress the limited voting window.

What’s Next for Season 34?

Looking ahead, the competition will pivot to a “Hollywood Night” theme in early November, followed by a “Heroes & Villains” week. Expect guest judges and surprise dance styles that could shuffle the leaderboard dramatically. Keep an eye on the voting clock – the next window opens on Tuesday, November 5, at 8:00 p.m. ET.