Oscar nomination ballot deadline extended to Friday

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Hollywood's Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences says it has extended the deadline for members to vote for Oscar nominations by one day.

Ballots will now be due Friday. They originally were due back Thursday.

Members may vote online or submit paper ballots. Any votes received after the deadline will not be counted.

"By extending the voting deadline we are providing every opportunity available to make the transition to online balloting as smooth as possible," Ric Robertson, the academy's chief operating officer, said in a statement Monday. "We're grateful to our global membership for joining us in this process."

This is the first year the academy is providing its membership the opportunity to vote online.

Nominations for the 85th Academy Awards will be announced Jan. 10. Winners will be presented with their awards Feb. 24.