During the live shows, judges will give a score based on several factors, including technical execution. But the judges' scores alone do not decide a couple's fate.

Phone lines, text votes (AT&T customers only) and online polls will open at the top of each performance show so that viewers can vote for their favorites. Phone and text lines will stay open for 30 minutes after the end of the show. Online voting will remain open until noon (Eastern Time) the next day.

In the Dancing with the Stars Results Show*, the couple with the lowest combined score from judges and viewer votes will be eliminated from the competition**. The scoring is divided evenly between the judges and the viewers at home, ensuring unpredictable outcomes at the end of every show. When the final two couples remain, the ultimate dance-off will determine who wins the trophy.

Viewers can vote via phone, text message or online for their favorites ONLY on the night they perform.

And now, iPhone users can download the Dancing with the Stars iPhone app to vote!

FORMAT SUMMARY:

Lines open at the beginning of each show for viewers to phone and text vote for their favorite couples and stay open for 30 minutes after the end. The whole country can vote.

One (or more) couple(s) will be knocked out of the competition each week there is a results show. The couple with the lowest overall score is knocked out of the competition.

The scoring and format of the show is unique to the series and is not based on a standard dance championship. The decision regarding which dances are to be performed by each couple each week rests with the Producers.

THE PROCEDURE FOR ELIMINATING COUPLES:

Each week every couple receives points from the judges and votes from the public. For every couple we work out the share they got of the points given by the judges on the night, and the share they got of the public's votes on the night and we add these two shares together. The couple with the lowest combined total is eliminated from the show.

For example if couple A, B and C receive 38, 26 and 14 points from the judges, we calculate what share these points represent of the total awarded by the judges on the night. In this case the judges gave 78 points in total, and each couples' share of 78 points breaks down as follows: 38= 48.72% of78, 26= 33.33% of 78, 14= 17.95% of 78. Let's suppose that when the public votes are tallied, each couple has the following shares: A= 20%, B=40%, C=40%. To determine who's eliminated we combine these two shares for the total:

Couple A: 20+48.72%= 68.72%
Couple B: 40+33.33%= 73.33%
Couple C: 40+17.95%= 57.95%
In this case, the bottom two couples would be A and C, and C would be eliminated.

ONLINE VOTING REQUIREMENTS:
The Internet browser on user computers must allow cookies, have Javascript enabled and have the latest version of Flash installed in order to vote. If cookies and Javascript are disabled and Flash is not installed, users will be unable to access the online ballot.

If you are still having problems accessing online voting, send us your feedback here.