Log-in problems confound Oscar voting

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LOS ANGELES, Jan. 5 (UPI) -- Some members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in Beverly Hills, Calif., said online voting system bugs kept them from casting Oscar ballots.

Electronic voting was a new option this year in Oscar voting. In response to problems with user log-ins and passwords, the academy extended the voting deadline for Oscar nominations by one day to Friday.

Amy Berg, an Oscar-nominated member of the documentary branch, said the voting website rejected her password three times before locking her out, The Hollywood Reporter said.

"I couldn't vote in the end," she said. "They said it would not be reinstated in time; it takes 24 hours to reset.

"It was definitely a letdown, as this was my first year as a voter," Berg said.

Members were still allowed to use paper ballots, and many made the drive to the academy's headquarters Friday to hand in their ballots, report said.

"I suspect a lot of people will skip this round but do the next one," said one voter who drove from Santa Monica to hand in his ballot after the e-voting system wouldn't take his password. The voter's name was not reported.

Nominations for the 85th Academy Awards will be announced Jan. 10. The Oscars will be presented Feb. 24.