Grammy Awards Announces Major Change

A significant change is coming to the most prestigious music awards, the Grammys.

Billboard reports that, moving forward, the voting ballots will feature the artists in randomized order. This change will take place immediately, starting with the 68th Grammy Awards.

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Grammy Awards Will Do This For the First Time Ever

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The entries are listed in a randomized order, which is a significant change. Before this announcement, all entries were alphabetized. This is the first time in the history of the awards show that the ballots will appear like this to voters.

According to the report, the Recording Academy is implementing this measure to enable voting members to review all the candidates. The report explains that some members only search for their favorite artists and make their choices based on that.

No two ballots will look the same, this report states. The Academy is utilizing technology to create a randomized ballot for each voter.

In an exclusive statement to Billboard, Ruby Marchand, Chief Awards and Global Industry Officer for the Recording Academy, said, “This ballot update brings our process in line with standard voting best practices … and further ensures the process is fair and equitable for all entries.”

“As with any change, there will be an adjustment period in the first year, but our staff will be on hand to assist voters with any questions.”

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Voting For the 68th Annual Grammys Begins Soon

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Due to these changes, the Academy is granting voting members ample time to cast their votes. Additionally, they will be allowed to take multiple sessions to complete their ballot. Voting will begin on October 3, 2025.

Here are important dates to remember as they pertain to this year’s Grammys (as per the Recording Academy website):

• First Round of Voting: October 3, 2025 – October 15, 2025.
• Nominees announced: November 7, 2025.
• Final Voting Round: December 12, 2025 – January 5, 2026
• Grammy Awards Show & Telecast: February 1, 2026

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Randomized Ballots Aren’t the Only Thing New For the Grammys

The Academy has made several other changes to the Grammy Awards and the telecast. Here’s a list of some (other) significant changes, according to Billboard. (Visit Billboard to see the complete list of changes):

• New Category: Best Traditional Country Album
• Bringing Back Old Category: Best Album Cover
• Combining two categories into one: Best Recording Package (Best Recording Package & Best Boxed or Limited Edition Package)
• Renaming Existing Category: Best Contemporary Country Album (formerly Best Country Album)