ABOUT THE VOTE:

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

New this season, fans can vote by four different methods: calling, text voting (AT&T customers only), online at ABC.com or online via Facebook at facebook.com/dancingwiththestars

Phone lines, text votes (AT&T customers only) facebook and online voting will open at the top of each performance show so that viewers can vote for their favorites. Phone and text lines will stay open until 60 minutes after the end of the show in your local time zone. Facebok and online voting at ABC.com will remain open until 11AM (Eastern Time)/ 8AM (Pacific Time) the following 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 and text message for their favorites ONLY on the night they perform; online voting ends at 11AM ET/8AM PT the day following the performances.

To vote by text message, text the word "VOTE" to your favorite couple's number below from your AT&T phone. Message and data rates may apply.

Lines open at the beginning of each show for viewers to phone and text vote for their favorite couples and will stay open for 60 minutes after the end of the show in each time zone. 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.

PROCEDURE FOR ELIMINATING COUPLES:

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

For example if couples A, B and C respectively 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 example the judges gave 78 points in total, and each couples' share of 78 points breaks down as follows: A: 38 points = 48.72% of 78; B: 26 points = 33.33% of 78; C: 14 points = 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 example, the bottom two couples would be A and C, and C would be eliminated.

The competition is governed by the Official Rules made available to each couple. The above is a summary for informational purposes only.

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.