Dancing with the Stars Voting: How to Vote Text, Online

If you’ve ever been mid-text during a Dancing with the Stars episode and suddenly wondered whether you’re doing it right, you’re not alone. Voting methods differ between the US and Irish versions, and each has its own quirks around timing, costs, and limits.

US Voting Site: dwtsvote.abc.com ·
Ireland Voting Info: rte.ie/tv/dancing-with-the-stars ·
US Text Number: 21523 ·
2025 US Winners: Robert Irwin and Witney Carson ·
Ireland Vote Method: Call or text

How can I vote on Dancing with the Stars?

Both the US and Irish versions of Dancing with the Stars give viewers multiple ways to support their favorite couples, but the mechanics differ significantly.

Online voting via ABC

US viewers can vote for free at ABC’s official voting portal during each live episode. The process requires an email verification code, and voters can submit up to 10 votes per couple per method. Combining text and online votes allows a maximum of 20 votes per couple weekly. The ABC SMS terms confirm that votes are tracked and confirmed individually.

Text voting steps

For US text voting, viewers send the contestant’s specific keyword to 21523. Keywords are revealed during the live broadcast on the official voting page. Each text vote counts toward the 10-vote-per-couple limit for that method. According to Hindustan Times coverage, the system confirms your first vote and notifies you when the limit is reached.

App and social options

The ABC app also provides access to the voting portal during live episodes. Social media is not a direct voting channel for DWTS, but the official show accounts announce voting windows and keyword reveals. West Coast viewers should note that rebroadcasts and Hulu streams do not count toward valid voting periods.

What number to text for Dancing with the Stars voting?

The shortcode you use depends entirely on which version of the show you’re watching.

US text number 21523

The US text voting number is 21523. Viewers text their chosen contestant’s keyword to this number. Unlike earlier seasons, Season 34 introduced a dedicated text voting system, and ABC’s voting site tracks all incoming votes centrally. Standard carrier message and data rates apply when texting this number.

Ireland call and text lines

For Ireland’s RTÉ version, the text number is 53125. Viewers text the celebrity’s name in uppercase (examples: BROOKE, CARL, DAMIAN, SUZANNE) to this shortcode. The RTÉ voting page specifies that each text costs 60 cent or 60p, processed by Phonovation. Northern Ireland callers can also use 09011 numbers for call votes alongside 53125 texts.

Vote format examples

For the US version, the keyword format changes each season based on contestant pairings. For Ireland, the format is consistent: send the celebrity’s full name as shown on screen, typed in all capitals, to 53125. RTÉ notes that votes must come from within ROI or NI, and bill payer permission is required before voting.

How do you text vote on Dancing with the Stars?

Text voting is straightforward once you know the specific steps for your region.

Step-by-step text process

For US viewers: wait for the live show to reveal the keyword for your preferred couple, then open your phone’s messaging app and send that keyword to 21523. You’ll receive a confirmation response. Repeat the process up to 10 times if you want to maximize your couple’s vote count. For Ireland: simply text the celebrity’s name (uppercase) to 53125 during the live broadcast window.

Common errors to avoid

The most frequent mistake US viewers make is voting during West Coast rebroadcasts or Hulu streams—the ABC SMS terms specify that only the live simulcast qualifies. Ireland viewers risk losing votes by texting after the show concludes or using incorrect name spellings. RTÉ’s official guidance emphasizes that votes outside advertised windows are charged but discarded.

Confirmation tips

For US texts, the system confirms your first vote and alerts you when you hit the 10-vote ceiling. Ireland has no such confirmation mechanism, and there’s no stated limit on how many texts you can send. If you’re unsure whether your vote counted, contact the service provider—Phonovation handles Ireland voting at 0818 180 180.

Who won Dancing with the Stars voting?

Recent results show how decisively audience votes shape outcomes in both versions.

Recent US winners

Robert Irwin and professional dancer Witney Carson took the Season 34 title in 2025. ABC’s voting portal confirmed their win, determined entirely by the combined text, online, and judges’ scores. The audience vote carries significant weight—eliminations happen weekly when couples land in the bottom despite judge save options.

Ireland season outcomes

The RTÉ Ireland final on March 19, 2023 ran on public votes alone. RTÉ stated explicitly: “Tonight, votes from the viewing public ALONE will determine the winner of this series!” Ties are resolved by highest cumulative series votes, making consistent audience support throughout the season more valuable than any single episode.

Voting impact on finals

Both versions weight audience voting heavily in determining winners. The US combines multiple voting methods with judge scores, while Ireland’s final strips away judge influence entirely—pure public vote decides. For viewers, this means every text cast throughout the season contributes to the final outcome in Ireland, not just during finale night.

Did anybody get voted off Dancing with the Stars?

Weekly eliminations are the heartbeat of the show, and the process differs slightly between versions. To vote via text, send your vote to the number shown on On veure Love Island USA.

Latest eliminations

In the US version, each week’s bottom couple faces elimination unless saved by judges. The 2025 season saw multiple dramatic bottom-three moments where the judges chose which couple to spare. Ireland’s 2023 RTÉ series ran weekly eliminations with the same public-vote-driven bottom results, culminating in the all-public final.

Elimination process

Both versions use audience votes combined with judge scores to determine standings. The US version allows judges to save one couple per season, but otherwise the lowest-voted pair is eliminated weekly. RTÉ’s official rules confirm that votes are tallied in real-time during the live broadcast, with results announced after the final competitive dance.

Booed contestants

Both versions have seen controversial contestants who drew negative audience reactions. The elimination process is anonymous—no official “booed off” announcements—but social media and live studio audience responses often signal which couples are on thin ice. Your voting power is most critical when a favorite lands in the bottom.

“Tonight, votes from the viewing public ALONE will determine the winner of this series!”

— RTÉ (Irish Broadcaster), March 2023 final announcement

“Congratulations, Robert Irwin and Witney Carson, for winning Dancing with the Stars 2025!”

— ABC (US Broadcaster), 2025 season announcement

Understanding how voting works in each country transforms you from a passive viewer into an active participant in the competition. The US system rewards method-stacking (text plus online), while Ireland’s approach rewards consistency across the full season. Either way, the window closes the moment the live broadcast ends—miss it, and your vote is lost.