American Idol is partway through season 24—and boy, has the talent been incredible to watch!
With new episodes airing every Monday night on ABC, longtime fans love seeing the hopefuls vying for a chance at stardom. With Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie serving as judges once again, and the contestants putting their own spins on iconic songs, it’s time for the viewers to get involved in the process, too.
We figured out how to vote for your favorite performers—here’s all you need to know.
When can I vote for American Idol in 2026?
Since the voting portion of American Idol season 24 technically began on March 16, 2026, here is the official time frame for fans to make their voting selections.
Voting for American Idol opens at the end of the show’s East Coast airing, which is approximately 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. ET. Everyone can vote up to 10 times per voting method, and the window for voting officially closes at 6 a.m. ET/3 a.m. PT the following morning.
Viewers can check the official American Idol website each week to find out when to vote. The show also recommends that folks check the FAQ page for updates throughout the season.
How do I vote for American Idol in 2026?
Here’s the good news. American Idol has offered five different methods for fans to vote for their favorite artists. As for what they are, take a look below.
How to vote for American Idol online:
If you want to vote for American Idol via a computer or the internet browser of your choosing on your phone, you can go to the show’s official voting website to make your selection.
Just an FYI, you’ll need to create a free account. Once you do, it’s super easy to sign in and choose the artist and how many times you want to cast your vote. But make sure to save all your choices, and remember—you only have 10 tries with this method.
How to vote for American Idol over text:
All viewers need to do is text the number corresponding to the contestant to the number “21523.” Each contestant’s number will show on screen during their performance.
How to vote for American Idol on social media:
For the first time in American Idol history, the show is offering a new way for fans to vote. You can now choose which artist should move to the next round on social media—specifically Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
An official pinned post will be available on American Idol’s social media accounts throughout the show, and fans can comment with the hopeful they’re voting for. Keep in mind you can only do one name per comment—but you can cast your vote up to a total of 10 times per finalist.
Source: goodhousekeeping.com
