This occurs because entries are not judged against one another, but on the merits of excellence alone. When entries in one category score extremely high and within a few percentage points of one another, judges are likely to recommend multiple awards. It is also possible that judges occasionally will deem no entry in a category worthy of an award. All entries will be judged under the supervision of Chapters of The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences outside the Minnesota regional area. Screening and voting by peer group judges will follow the guidelines created by the Academy's National Awards Committee.
Voting is by secret ballot.
These panels are comprised of no fewer than six judges who are certified as peers. No more than three judges on any given panel may be employed by the same station or company. Judges may not have a conflict of interest, described as any direct involvement in the production of an entry, or having a personal relationship with a member of the production staff of an entry. Group ownership, by itself, does not create a conflict of interest. The success of the Emmy Awards process depends on the willingness of qualified professionals to serve as judges.