DWTS Season 34 Voting Window, Elimination Rules and Historic Surprises

When Dancing with the Stars rolls into its 34th season, the biggest question on every fan’s mind is how the voting window shapes the competition. This year’s Tuesday showdown – the episode dubbed “Wicked Night” – is more than just glitter and choreography; it’s a tightly timed race between East Coast and West Coast viewers, a cap on how many votes each household can send, and a scoring math that can turn a flawless‑looking routine into a surprising exit.

How the voting window works this season

According to the official guidelines released by ABC, the live broadcast begins at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time every Tuesday. The window opens the second the judges finish their critiques and closes exactly one hour later at 9:00 p.m. ET. For viewers in the Central Time Zone, that means 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. CT; Pacific‑time fans must cast their votes between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. PST.

Missing that one‑hour slot is a deal‑breaker: “Votes submitted before or after the live broadcast window won’t be counted,” the Entertainment Now report for the 2025 season warned. The same FAQ, co‑published by Disney+, adds that each household can submit up to ten votes per couple via phone, website, or the official app – a total of twenty votes when you combine all three methods.

Scoring formula and elimination mechanics

The judges’ scores are no longer a simple sum of three numbers. Since season three, each couple’s judges’ share is calculated as a percentage of the total points awarded that night. For example, if a pair earns 22 points out of a collective 230 points handed out by the panel, their judges’ share is 22 ÷ 230 ≈ 9.6 %.

That percentage is then added to the audience‑vote share, which is also expressed as a percent of total votes cast. The combined figure determines the weekly ranking. The two couples with the lowest combined scores are identified at the end of the show; the one with the smallest total is eliminated.

Here’s a quick snapshot of a typical night’s math:

• Couple A: Judges = 9.2 %, Audience = 12.5 % → Total = 21.7 %
• Couple B: Judges = 8.7 %, Audience = 9.3 % → Total = 18.0 %
• Couple C: Judges = 6.5 %, Audience = 6.0 % → Total = 12.5 % (lowest – eliminated)

With the combined percentages, a single strong audience push can rescue a couple whose judges’ scores lag, and vice‑versa. That fluidity is why the show’s elimination chart reads like a roller‑coaster.

Why past eliminations still echo today

History shows that the numbers can be cruel. Nicole Scherzinger and her partner Derek Hough were sent home in season 19 despite glowing reviews from the judges. Their exit sparked headlines in the Saint Lou Vent column, which called it “a complete surprise, leaving everyone at home absolutely stunned.”

Earlier, Bristol Palin fell in season 10 after a week where she earned a respectable judges’ share but fell short on audience votes. And Gilles Marini saw a similar fate in season 12, proving that fan love doesn’t always translate into a win.

These moments matter because they illustrate the unpredictable balance between skill and popularity – a balance that season 34 repeats each Tuesday. As former pro dancer Tyne Stecklein told Entertainment Now, “You can nail every step, but if the audience doesn’t feel the connection, the numbers will speak.”

Viewer tips and common pitfalls

First, set a reminder for the exact voting window. A misplaced alarm can cost you those precious ten votes per method. Second, make sure you’re logged into the official app before the show starts – the app often glitches if you try to sign in after the clock starts ticking.

Third, diversify your vote distribution. If you have three eligible household members, each should use a different method (phone, web, app) to maximize the twenty‑vote ceiling. Finally, keep an eye on social media trends. The live‑tweet feed often hints at which couples are gaining momentum, and that can sway a last‑minute decision.

What’s next for Season 34

The “Wicked Night” episode aired on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, featuring a high‑energy tango that left the judges split 27‑27‑28. The combined scores pushed the bottom‑two couples into a dramatic face‑off, and the audience’s vote ultimately saved the duo with the highest social‑media buzz.

Looking ahead, the next elimination will be decided after the voting window closes on February 18. Fans are already speculating whether the upcoming “Broadway Blitz” theme will favor the more theatrical performers or give a boost to the technical dancers.

At stake is the coveted Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy – a nod to the late judge’s legacy and the only prize that can crown a season’s champion. As the competition tightens, the blend of perfect pirouettes, strategic voting, and sheer audience emotion will decide who lifts that trophy on the final night.