Latin GRAMMY Awards Process

LATIN GRAMMY AWARDS VOTING PROCESS
The process begins with members and record companies submitting entries, which are then screened for eligibility and category placement. The Latin Academy’s voting members, all involved in the creative and technical processes of recording, then participate in (1) the nominating process that determines the five finalists (10 finalists in the General Field) and (2) the final voting process which determines the Latin GRAMMY winners.

SUBMISSION
Latin Recording Academy members and record companies enter recordings and music videos released during the eligibility year which they consider worthy of recognition in the Latin GRAMMY process.

SCREENING
Reviewing sessions by more than 100 experts in various fields are held to ensure that entered recordings meet specific qualifications and have been placed in appropriate fields such as Urban, Rock, Alternative, Tropical, Regional-Mexican, Jazz, Singer-Songwriter and Brazilian, among others. The purpose of screening is not to make artistic or technical judgments about the recording, but rather to make sure that each entry is eligible and placed in its proper category.

NOMINATING
First –round ballots are sent to voting members in good dues standing. To help ensure the quality of the voting, members are directed to vote only in their areas of expertise; they may vote in up to 15 categories plus the four categories in the General Field (Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year and Best New Artist.) Ballots are tabulated by the independent accounting firm of Deloitte.

SPECIAL NOMINATING COMMITTEES
In craft and other specialized categories, final nominations are determined by national nomination review committees comprised of voting members in the U.S. and International.

FINAL VOTING
Final-round ballots are sent to voting members in good dues standing. The finalists determined by the special nominating committees are also included in the ballot. In the final round, Latin Recording Academy members may vote in 15 categories plus the four categories of the General Field.