The first round of voting for the 65th annual GRAMMY Awards has officially opened. 

Throughout its history, the GRAMMY Awards has set itself apart from other awards, having its nominees and winners decided by peers and individuals in the music industry, rather than fans or the charts. 

This year marks the fourth year since the Recording Academy® transitioned to a community-driven and peer-reviewed annual cycle. The goal has been to create a more diverse and engaged membership base representative of the evolving musical landscape.

Since the new model was implemented in 2019, the number of women has increased by 19%, membership among traditionally underrepresented communities increased by 38%. The two groups now account for 31% and 33% of the Academy’s current membership. 

“After years of listening, learning and putting in the work, we're beginning to see results of our efforts to diversify the Academy's membership come to life,” said Recording Academy® CEO Harvey Mason, Jr., in a statement. 

“When we have diverse people representing all corners of the industry contributing unique perspectives, progress is achieved at a rapid pace,” he added. 

With the most inclusive membership body in the history of the Academy, one of the primary goals is to increase voter turnout among Latino voters. 

This is within the confines of the GRAMMY Awards “Your Vote Your Voice” campaign, which highlights the need for voters to know key information ahead of voting season. 

In June 2022, the GRAMMY Awards added five new categories: Songwriter Of The Year, Non-Classical; Best Alternative Music Performance; Best American Performance; Best Score Soundtrack For Video Games And Other Interactive Media; and Best Spoken Word Poetry Album.

The first round of GRAMMY Awards voting closes Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022. Nominees will be announced Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2022; and the final round of voting will run from Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022 to Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023. 

For more information on how to cast your vote and let your voice be heard, click here. 

The 65th GRAMMY Awards is set to air Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023, live on the CBS Television Network and will also be available to stream live and on-demand on Paramount+.