It's Time for the 2024 Billings Gazette Readers' Choice!
The Billings Gazette Readers' Choice features over 150 categories and we need your help to determine who the best of the best is in Billings!
There are two phases in this program to participate in; nominations and voting. During the nomination phase users can nominate a business that is already on the ballot or by writing in a business. It can take up to 72 hours for the business to appear on the ballot. Users can nominate once in each category, please nominate carefully! The five businesses that have the most nominations will move onto the voting phase.
During the voting phase, no additional businesses will be added to the ballot. Users can vote once per day per category. Some businesses will have text-to-vote codes that can be found on their enhanced listing landing page.
To view all of the categories visit The 2024 Reader's Choice Ballot!
The Phase Breakdown!
The Billings Gazette Reader’s Choice Awards is a contest where our audience (and your customers) nominate and vote on the best businesses across the region. There are three phases: 1. Nomination 2. Voting 3. Winners.
1. Nomination Phase
Nominations will be accepted between June 10 and June 27. If you do not see a business on the ballot, you can nominate them by writing them in. It can take up to 72 hours for the business to appear on the ballot. Users can nominate one time in each category and cannot change their nomination, please nominate carefully! The top 5 nominees in each category will advance to the voting ballot.
2. Voting Phase
Voting will take place between July 29 and August 18. Users can vote once per day per category on the digital ballot, and once per day per category via text-to-vote for select businesses.
3. Winners Guide
The top three in each category will be announced in October in a special publication. We will crown a 'Winner' and two 'Favorites' in each category.
The Billings Gazette Reader’s Choice Awards celebrate the best our region has to offer – time to make your voices heard!
Why do I have to register to nominate or vote?
We require all users to register before interacting on the ballot for the first time. This ensures the process is fair and prevents people from “stuffing the ballot”. Once registered, you can come back to the ballot at anytime and continue to nominate or vote. If you return using a different browser you will be asked to enter a code that was sent to the email address provided. If you have issues participating on the ballot contact us here.
Can I nominate more than once?
To keep the ballot fair, we only allow users to nominate in each category once.
Can I vote more than once?
Because we only allow the top 5 businesses with the most nominations into the voting round, we do allow users to vote once per 24 hours in each category during the voting phase. Once you vote in a category a timer will appear above the category name to let you know when you can vote again.
Who selects the businesses that move into the voting phase?
You do! Once the nomination phase is over, we tally up the nominations in each category and only the businesses with the most nominations move through to the voting phase.
What if I don’t see a business on the ballot?
If you do not see a business on the ballot during the nomination phase but they meet the requirements to be nominated in the category, you can utilize the write-in feature at the bottom of the category. Please note it can take up to 72 hours for the business name to appear on the ballot.
Can I change my nomination?
We do not allow users to change their nomination, please nominate carefully!
Do I have to register every time I come back to the ballot to nominate or vote?
Once registered, you can come back to the ballot at anytime and continue to nominate or vote. If you return using a different browser you will be asked to enter a code that was sent to the email address provided. If you have issues participating on the ballot contact us here.
How are categories selected for the ballot?
Our categories are carefully chosen based on community feedback and prior year engagement.
Does a business have to pay to be on the ballot?
There is no purchase necessary for a business to participate on the ballot. Some businesses choose to place ads to stay top of mind during the nomination and voting phase, but this does not guarantee they will move onto the voting phase or win in their category.
