Here are some FAQs for the 2025 Hernando Sun Readers’ Choice Competition
First, we recommend joining our Readers’ Choice mailing list to get all the updates as the competition progresses.
The website for nominating and voting is hernandosun.com/rc2025
Nomination Phase
Feb. 14. – March 13
Anyone can nominate a business for the ballot.
If there is not a suitable category for a business that you would like to nominate, email [email protected]
We can place a business on the ballot after the nomination period. Email [email protected]
Businesses that do not do business in Hernando County will not be approved.
Nominated businesses will appear on the online ballot when voting begins on March 14. Businesses that purchase ballot advertising may appear on the ballot prior to voting.
A business cannot be nominated in more than three categories. If there is a business in more than three categories, please email [email protected] and we can address the issue.
Voting Phase
March 14 – April 18
The top 5 businesses in each category will be printed in the paper during the voting.
The top 5 schedule is as follows:
Medical, Education, Food & Drink, Community Achievement… 3/14
Shopping, Home & Garden… 3/21
Personal Style, Technology, Pets, On the Water, Culture… 3/28
Mind & Body Wellness, On the Move, Event Planning… 4/4
Professional Services, Senior Living, Nonprofit… 4/11
Voting ends 4/18.
TOP THREE WINNERS ARE PRINTED IN THE PAPER ON 4/25.
Vote online once a day per category. Our system rejects fraudulent emails.
Ballot Errors
Please email [email protected] if a business has been placed in the wrong category, a business is no longer operating, or if you know that they do not serve Hernando County.
Promotional Opportunities for Businesses
We offer promotional opportunities such as group sponsorships, enhanced listings, category ads and top 5 print ads. An enhanced listing is a great way to promote and encourage supporters to vote for a business as supporters can go directly to a business’ enhanced listing page to vote and save time! We recommend providing supporters with a QR code to the enhanced listing at the place of business and sharing the enhanced listing on social media often.
Read more about promotional opportunities here: https://www.hernandosun.com/hernando-sun-readers-choice-marketing-options/
Winners
Winners will be announced at the Readers’ Choice Awards banquet tentatively scheduled for May 22 and 23. Please consider joining the Readers’ Choice Awards Planning Committee to help us plan a great celebration for our winners. Email Julie to join the fun: [email protected]
Awards
We will provide certificates for all winners attending the awards banquet. Winners may order official promotional items such as acrylic plaques, window clings, 13 x 19 framed posters and banners here: https://www.hernandosun.com/forms-rc-winners-merch/
Please be aware that you may be contacted by “plaque pirates” trying to sell you plaques as soon as we upload our winners online. This happens every year. We cannot vouch for any products that you purchase through these companies and often they are over-priced.