You Won't Be Able to Vote for Your Favorite Artist in the CMA Awards — Here's Why
Sep. 2 2020, Updated 3:18 p.m. ET
With nominees ranging from Kacey Musgraves to Ashley McBryde, Miranda Lambert, and far beyond, there's no doubt that the CMA Awards 2020 features some of the most prolific country artists out there.
The prominent event celebrates the most influential figures and the most successful pieces of work to be released between July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020. So, do fans have a say in who gets to win in each category? How does the voting process work?
Can viewers vote for their favorite artists in the CMA Awards 2020?
Unlike the MTV Video Music Awards or the Teen Choice Awards, viewers and fans aren't allowed to partake in the voting process and decide which artists or music formations get to take home the slick and stylish trophy.
Undoubtedly, many would be eager to boost their favorite singer's chances of winning. However, the CMA Awards strictly adheres to decades-old traditions, relying solely on the members of the Country Music Association to determine who the most deserving musicians are.
The voting process is divided into three stages. In round one, each member of the CMA gets the chance to promote their favorite artist. As this handy summary by The Boot reveals, they nominate one artist per category, though they don't have to nominate an artist in every category.
By the end of this stage, the members of the organization will have been able to compile a succinct list of every potential winner. However, not every nominee will be able to make it to the next stage.
According to The Boot, only the musicians who make it to the top twenty will enter the second round. The only exception is the Entertainer of the Year category, where the top fifteen acts — or those to obtain at least ten votes — can proceed.
In round two, the members get to cast their votes on five nominees in each category. Just like it was the case with the first stage, they aren't obliged to cast their votes in every category.
As The Boot reveals, the votes are counted by an impartial third party, Deloitte & Touche LLP, who provide a list of the top five nominees in each category.
The third round builds on the same logic. Here, members are allowed to pick only one artist in each category — or whichever categories they choose — before Deloitte & Touche LLP would establish who the winners are.
Who are the CMA Awards 2020 nominees?
Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood, Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert, and Eric Church are the musicians competing for the prestigious Entertainer of the Year Award.
Carrie and Miranda were nominated for the Female Vocalist of the Year Award as well, alongside Kacey Musgraves, Ashley McBryde, and Maren Morris.
Luke, Eric, and Keith are in the running for the Male Vocalist of the Year Award, alongside Thomas Rhett and Chris Stapleton.
The full list of nominees is available here.
Curious to find out which performers get to take home the dazzling trophy? The CMA Awards will take place on Sept. 16, 2020, between 8 and 11 p.m. ET, with a live and on-demand show airing on CBS All Access.
