How to vote early and often for Trias

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If you have a redial button: Use it by programming in the number. It will be 1-866-IDOLS (plus code). If Trias is third to compete, for example, her code for the evening would be 03, so the number to dial would be 1-866-436-5703. Once you dial the number, the redial mode is ready for action.

If voting by land lines: Be patient. You need a dial tone to make a connection. If there is no dial tone when you pick up the phone, wait while the system searches for a vacant line. If you hang up or press the plunger, it will simply take longer for a dial tone to appear.

If you connect to a "ring:" Hang up right away. The phone will ring until either a busy tone appears or a recorded message advises you that "all circuits are busy" — and to try again. It's valuable redial time wasted.

If you connect without a ring: One of two things will happen; you may get a busy tone, which means you need to try again; or you may hear a recorded message that begins, "Thank you for voting for contest number (and the voting code)"; this counts as a vote.

If you use a cell phone: Same guidelines as for land-lines prevail.

If you have AT&T Wireless service: Your cellular phone may have text-messaging capabilities. Select MENU, type in the word VOTE, then select OPTIONS and SEND; enter the four-digit code (in the above example, it would be 5703), then select OK. Note: There are no dial tones for text-message votes, and they can be repeatedly sent to and received at the voting bank.

Costs: Varies with your phone plans; land-line calls are toll-free and have no charges; cell calls may have a fee; standard text-messaging fees apply (most plans enable a minimum number for free, then charge for additional messages).