As Hollywood gears up for another glittering Golden Globes ceremony, fans often wonder what goes on behind the red carpet. The awards are famous for star-studded moments and surprise victories, but who actually decides the winners? The Golden Globes follow a voting system that is both unique and closely watched in the entertainment world.
Who Votes For The Golden Globes?
The winners are chosen by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), a group of international journalists based in the United States who cover film and television throughout the year.
In recent editions, the voting body has grown to roughly 300 members. This expansion was part of reforms aimed at increasing diversity, transparency, and global representation. Members now represent media
outlets from dozens of countries, offering an international perspective on Hollywood’s films and TV shows.
What Do Voters Watch Before Casting Their Ballots?
Golden Globe voters are responsible for categories in both film and television, a distinction that sets the Globes apart from other awards shows. Eligible content includes:
Feature films released during the calendar year
Television series that aired or premiered within the eligibility window
Performances by actors, directors, writers, and creators
Studios and networks help voters by providing screeners, hosting official screenings, and participating in Q&A sessions. This ensures that every member has access to the full range of eligible works before submitting their votes.
How Are Winners Selected?
The voting process unfolds in two main stages:
Nomination voting: Members submit ballots to determine the nominees in each category.
Final voting: After the nominations are announced, members vote again to select the winners.
Each voter casts their ballot independently, and the nominee with the most votes in a category is declared the winner. The system is simple—there is no ranked-choice or weighted voting, just a majority vote to determine who takes home the trophy.
Kicking off the 2026 awards season, the 83rd Golden Globe Awards promise a morning of glamour, laughs, and star-studded moments, with Timothée Chalamet, Leonardo DiCaprio, Michael B. Jordan, Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, and Emma Stone among this year’s nominees.
The ceremony will take place at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California, starting at 6:30 am IST on January 12, and viewers in India can watch it live via Lionsgate Play.
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