Voters mull new Oscar nomination ballots

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HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- The latest Oscar buzz in Hollywood has to do with the new design of the nomination ballot, which some voters say is a bit of a curveball in their deliberations.

The redesigned ballot was mailed out this week and apparently flummoxed more than a few voters because it includes space for five movies to be nominated for Best Picture even though as many as 10 movies will ultimately be nominated.

The Los Angeles Times said Saturday the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will indeed place as many as 10 nominees although each voting member will submit their top five selections.

The newspaper said the plan, which was announced in the summer, calls for between 5-10 movies to be formally nominated. The nominated pictures will have to win at least 5 percent of the vote.

In recent years, the Academy guaranteed 10 films would be on the list, which was reflected by the 10 spaces on the ballot.

The new five-space ballots are due to be returned to the Academy by Jan. 13.