Oscar Ballots are in the Mail

Most of the holiday cards have been received. So, there’s room again in mailboxes.

Now, it’s time for Oscar ballots to arrive. But, those are going to a small, select group.

The ballots were mailed yesterday from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to its members: 5,777.

This is the first round of voting. And, each of the academy’s 15 branches is responsible for nominating those in their field. So actors nominate actors. Sound engineers nominate sound engineers and so on.

Nominations are based on the year’s eligible films. There are 274 in 2009.

And, the entire voting membership submits their picks for best picture.

Completed ballots must arrive at office of the academy’s accountants on January 23, 2010. Nominations will be announced February 2 and the Academy Awards will be presented March 7.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)