In an announcement that will surprise no one, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has extended the nomination voting deadline from Thursday, Jan. 3 to Friday, Jan. 4.
AMPAS COO Ric Robertson noted in a release, “By extending the voting deadline we are providing every opportunity available to make the transition to online balloting as smooth as possible. We”re grateful to our global membership for joining us in this process.”
In order to accommodate the extension and maintain security, the online voting system will be closed for two hours only (5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. PT) on Thursday, January 3. The system will re-open at 7 p.m. PT on January 3 and remain available to members until 5:00 p.m. PT January 4.
So far, there have been reported complaints from members over their inability to figure out the new online voting system option (how many members this really entails remains to be seen). Additionally, the earlier than usual nomination ballot deadline has members whining that there isn’t enough time for them to see all the films or watch their free screeners (seeing films earlier in the season in a theater seems archaic to some). Chances are new Oscars host Seth McFarlane will have some fun with this during February’s telecast.
One thing is for sure, the new deadline has not changed the rest of the Academy’s schedule. The 85th Academy Awards® nominations are still scheduled to be announced live on Thursday, January 10, 2013, at 5:30 a.m. PT in the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater.