How Academy Voters Pick Oscar Winners

The 98th Academy Awards' selection process relies on the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' members, comprising over 10,000 professionals across 17 branches. For nominations, a branch voting system is employed, with members of specific branches voting in their respective categories, except for Best Picture where all members vote.

Nominations are decided using a ranked-choice voting system. Voters rank their preferences, and votes are redistributed from eliminated contenders until the nomination threshold is met. This ensures a selection based on broader preference.

When selecting winners, most categories are decided by a simple majority vote from all Academy members. However, the Best Picture category continues to use the preferential ballot system, requiring voters to rank all nominees.

This Best Picture voting method eliminates the lowest-ranked film if it doesn't reach 50% of the vote. The votes are then reallocated until a film achieves the required majority, often resulting in a consensus choice.

Ahead of the 98th Academy Awards, a new rule was implemented on February 26, 2026. Members are now required to watch all nominees in a category before casting their vote, promoting fairer decisions. Preliminary voting occurred from December 8 to December 12, 2025, with nominations revealed on January 22, 2026. Final voting concluded on March 5, 2026.