As the 2026 GRAMMYs approach on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026, Recording Academy Voting Members from across the music industry are making their voices heard.
First Round Voting for the 2026 GRAMMYs is now open through Wednesday, Oct. 15, at 6 p.m. PT / 9 p.m. ET. The 2026 GRAMMYs will air live on CBS and Paramount+ from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Nominations will be announced Friday, Nov. 7, 2025.
For Voting Members — including artists, producers, engineers, songwriters and executives — the voting process is a way to recognize and celebrate the work of their peers across the music world.
It unfolds in two rounds: First Round Voting (Oct. 3 - 15) determines the nominees across all 95 GRAMMY Categories, while Final Round Voting (Dec. 12, 2025 - Jan. 5, 2026) decides the winners revealed on Music’s Biggest Night. Members cast their ballots through their member dashboard, with each vote securely submitted by active music professionals in their respective fields.
The People Behind The Process
For many new Voting Members, joining the Recording Academy marks both a professional milestone and a deeply personal moment. As invitations went out to this year’s New Member Class, social media filled with messages of gratitude, reflection, and excitement under the hashtag #IAmTheAcademy — a campaign that celebrates the diverse voices shaping the GRAMMY Awards.
These new members — as well as the plethora of existing voting members — continue that enthusiasm as they cast their ballots.
@grammys ✨ Recording Academy Voting Members such as singers, songwriters, producers, and engineers determine GRAMMY nominees and winners. 🎶 When voting, Members are directed to vote only in their areas of expertise. 🗳️ First-round voting for the 2026 #GRAMMYs is open from now till October 15th, 2025. #Vote4GRAMMYs
Why Voting Matters
At its core, the GRAMMY Awards are about peers recognizing peers. For those voting, casting a ballot isn’t just part of the process; it’s a chance to celebrate and appreciate the music that moves the world forward.
Many describe GRAMMY voting as an opportunity to step outside their own projects and see the full scope of what artists are creating today. From first-time songwriters to veteran producers, every entry adds to the story of where music is headed.
That story continues to grow through a community that’s becoming broader and more reflective of the industry itself. The Recording Academy’s membership now includes a wider range of voices and perspectives than ever before — nearly half identify as women, more than half as people of color, and most are under the age of 40. Together, they represent a generation of creators redefining what the next era of music looks and sounds like.
Learn more about the Recording Academy's membership process and requirements.
For more information about the 2026 GRAMMY Awards season, learn more about the annual GRAMMY Awards process; read our First Round Voting guide for the 2026 GRAMMYs; read our FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) section; view the official GRAMMY Awards Rules and Guidelines; and visit the GRAMMY Award Update Center for a list of real-time changes to the GRAMMY Awards process.