Electronic voting for Oscars this year

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HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 15 (UPI) -- Members of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences will vote electronically for the Academy Awards nominations for the first time, the group said.

Voting for the 85th annual Academy Awards is scheduled to begin Monday morning, The Hollywood Reporter said Friday. The 5,856 voting members of the academy have until Jan. 3 to vote using electronic stations in Los Angeles, New York or London, or by paper ballot.

To ensure the electronic voting process goes smoothly, the academy will set up a 24-hour call center during the voting period, the entertainment industry publication reported.

The 2013 Oscar nominations will be announced Jan. 10, and the awards ceremony is scheduled to take place Feb. 24 at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland center. It will air on ABC.