Key Takeaways:
- The final round of voting for the 2026 GRAMMY Awards will take place from December 12, 2025, to January 5, 2026.
- The GRAMMY Awards are determined by peer voting, with Voting Members selecting the winners in each category.
- The Recording Academy has implemented changes to the GRAMMY Awards categories, including adjustments to eligibility criteria and submission guidelines.
- Voting Members can access their ballots through the My Academy Hub and GRAMMY One mobile apps.
- The Recording Academy encourages Voting Members to listen to all submitted recordings and vote based on artistic and technical merits.
Introduction to the GRAMMY Voting Process
The GRAMMY Awards are one of the most prestigious music awards in the world, and the voting process is a crucial part of determining the winners. The Recording Academy, the organization behind the GRAMMYs, encourages its Voting Members to educate themselves on the voting process each year. This year, the final round of voting for the 2026 GRAMMYs will take place from December 12, 2025, to January 5, 2026. During this time, Voting Members will select the winners in each of the 95 categories.
The Road to the 2026 GRAMMYs
The journey to the 2026 GRAMMYs began with the Online Entry Process, which took place from July 16 to August 29, 2025. During this time, registered Media Companies and Recording Academy members submitted recordings, music videos, and releases for consideration. The submissions were then reviewed by the Recording Academy’s Awards Department and genre screening committees to ensure they were categorized correctly. The First Round Voting, which determined the nominees, took place from October 3 to October 15, 2025.
How GRAMMY Voting Works
The GRAMMY voting process is divided into two phases: First Round Voting and Final Round Voting. During the First Round, Voting Members select the top five finalists in each category, except for the General Field Categories, which have eight finalists. The Final Round Voting determines the winners in each category. Voting Members are encouraged to vote only in categories where they have expertise and to listen to all submitted recordings before casting their votes.
Who Votes for the GRAMMYs?
The GRAMMYs are the only peer-voted award in music, and the winners are determined by Voting Members who are composed of performers, songwriters, producers, engineers, and other creators currently working in the recording industry. Voting Members are directed to vote only in their areas of expertise and are limited to voting in up to 10 categories across three fields, plus the six General Field Categories.
Voting Tabulation and Nomination Determination
The ballots are collected and tabulated by the independent accounting firm Deloitte to maintain the integrity of the voting process. The top five finalists in each category, except for the General Field Categories, are nominated for a GRAMMY Award. The nominees are announced, and the Final Round Voting determines the winners.
How to Vote in the 2026 GRAMMYs
Recording Academy Voting Members can access their Final Round Voting ballot through their member dashboard starting at 9 a.m. PT / 12 p.m. ET on Friday, December 12, 2025. The voting closes at 6 p.m. PT / 9 p.m. ET on Monday, January 5, 2026. Voting Members can also access their ballots through the My Academy Hub and GRAMMY One mobile apps.
New Changes to GRAMMY Awards Categories
The Recording Academy has implemented changes to the GRAMMY Awards categories, including adjustments to eligibility criteria, category renaming, and submission guidelines updates. These changes will take effect immediately at the 2026 GRAMMYs. Voting Members are encouraged to review the changes and updates before casting their votes.
GRAMMY Ballot Essentials and Voting Tips
The Recording Academy has added search and flexibility enhancements to the GRAMMY voting ballots to make it easier for Voting Members to cast their votes. The Category selection tool minimizes scrolling time and creates an easy-to-use ballot for each voter. The Recording Academy also provides tips for successful GRAMMY voting, including listening to nominated recordings and voting based on artistic and technical merits.
Conclusion
The GRAMMY voting process is a crucial part of determining the winners of the prestigious music awards. The Recording Academy encourages its Voting Members to educate themselves on the voting process and to vote based on artistic and technical merits. With the final round of voting for the 2026 GRAMMYs taking place from December 12, 2025, to January 5, 2026, Voting Members have the opportunity to select the winners in each of the 95 categories. By following the guidelines and tips provided by the Recording Academy, Voting Members can ensure that the GRAMMY Awards reflect the diversity and excellence of the music community.