Motion picture academy extends Oscars voting

(AP) Oscar voters will have an extra day to cast their ballots.

The motion picture academy says it's extending the deadline for members to vote for the Academy Awards to Jan. 4, following criticism of its new electronic voting system.

The nominations are set to be announced Jan. 10.

Ric Roberton, chief operating officer of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, said the extension will make the transition to online balloting as smooth as possible.

The academy partnered with electronic voting firm Everyone Counts Inc. earlier this year to develop the first Oscars online voting system.

Voting in the past has been compiled strictly through paper ballots. The new system allowed members to vote either online or through the mail.

The 85th annual Academy Awards are scheduled for Feb. 24.