Dancing with the Stars voting tonight: exact times, how to vote, limits, and quick fixes if it doesn’t work

Bassyonni

ago 7 hours

Dancing with the Stars voting

It’s a live vote night on Dancing with the Stars, and your ballots only count while the show is airing live. Here’s the fast guide to make every vote register—no matter where you’re watching.

When does DWTS voting open and close?

Voting opens the moment the live show begins and closes right after the final performance (before eliminations). Use the window for your time zone:

Eastern (ET): 8:00–10:00 p.m.
Central (CT): 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Mountain (MT): 6:00–8:00 p.m.
Pacific (PT): 5:00–7:00 p.m.

West Coast viewers: even if your TV feed airs later, the voting window is earlier (5–7 p.m. PT) during the East/Central live broadcast. Set a reminder so you don’t miss it.

Two ways to vote (U.S. & territories)

Online
Open the official DWTS voting site, sign in (or create a free account), select your couple(s), and hit Save Votes to lock them in.
Text (SMS)
Text the celebrity’s first name (the on-screen keyword) to 21523. You’ll get an automated confirmation and a note when you’ve hit the limit.

Note: Text voting is available only in the U.S. and U.S. territories. Standard message rates may apply.

How many votes do you get?

Online: up to 10 votes per couple
Text: up to 10 votes per couple
That means you can typically cast up to 20 total votes per couple each week by using both methods. You can split votes across multiple couples—just make sure you press Save online and send each text separately (e.g., text the keyword 10 times if you want all 10 SMS votes on one pair).

Where to find tonight’s text keywords

During the broadcast, each pair’s lower-third graphic and the leaderboard panel show their keyword (usually the star’s first name). Contestants also post their keywords on social pages the afternoon of show day. If two celebs share a name, production assigns a unique variant (watch the on-screen prompt to be sure).

Quick troubleshooting (do these fast—your window is short)

Online won’t accept votes:
- Refresh, sign out/in, and try a different browser or private window.
- Reduce simultaneous tabs/streams; heavy traffic can stall the page.
- Double-check you clicked Save Votes—changes aren’t counted until saved.
No text confirmation:
- Send a single test (e.g., “ANDY” to 21523). If nothing returns, toggle iMessage/RCS off temporarily and send as plain SMS.
- Move to a spot with stronger bars or Wi-Fi calling off.
- If you get “maxed” after fewer than 10 attempts, you may have reached your limit earlier—switch to online for remaining votes.
West Coast missed the window:
- Unfortunately, votes only count during the live period. Set a recurring reminder for Tuesdays at 5 p.m. PT.

Strategy tips for power voters

Front-load your votes: Cast as soon as the show starts; you can adjust online later in the window before saving, but SMS votes lock as you send them.
Spread vs. stack: If you have two favorites, consider a 6/4 split online and 6/4 by text to ensure both register even if traffic spikes near the deadline.
Use confirmations: Keep the final “You’ve reached the maximum number of votes” text as your receipt.

International viewers and replay watchers

Only viewers in the U.S. and U.S. territories can vote, and only during the live U.S. broadcast window. Replays, next-day streams, and DVR viewings are not eligible for voting.

Tonight’s checklist (print or screenshot)

☐ Know your couple’s text keyword
☐ Set a phone alarm for the opening minute in your time zone
☐ Cast 10 online + 10 SMS per couple you support
☐ Look for the online “Saved” banner and the SMS maxed-out confirmation
☐ If anything glitches, swap methods immediately

Voting for Dancing with the Stars is simple—but strictly timed. Open the official site and/or text 21523 with your couple’s keyword during the live window only (ET 8–10 / CT 7–9 / MT 6–8 / PT 5–7). Lock in your ballots early, confirm they’ve saved or sent, and you’ve done your part before the ballroom lights dim for eliminations.