Have a question about The Local’s List? Check out our frequently asked questions below.
What are the important dates to know?
- Nomination Round: Feb. 17 – Mar. 10
- Voting Round: Apr. 14 – May 5
- Winners Announced: The July issue of The Bend
What is The Local’s List and how does it work?
The Local’s List is The Bend’s annual readers’ choice poll. Every year, The Bend’s staff compiles a list of categories for the ballot. Once the ballot is made public, anyone is allowed to nominate their favorite local businesses, people, places and services once per category. After a three-week nomination round, the top five nominees with the most nominations will advance to the voting round. Each email is only allowed one vote per category. When the voting round begins, if more than five nominations are listed in a category, it is because there was a tie somewhere in the top five nominations.
What areas does The Local’s List cover?
The Coastal Bend region, including Aransas, Bee, Jim Wells, Kleberg, Nueces, Refugio and San Patricio counties.
Why isn’t there a category that fits my business? How can I suggest a new category?
The Bend’s staff sits down each year to reassess the categories. We take into consideration how categories performed the previous year, if a category would allow for five or more possible entrants, etc. With this in mind, new categories have been added, and some from previous years have been removed.
While it is too late to add categories to this year’s ballot, we encourage the public to send their category ideas for us to keep in mind in the future. You can send any category recommendations to kylie@thebendmag.com.
How can I get the promotional graphics?
If you or your business has been nominated, you may download this graphic to help promote your business during the nomination period. Additional graphics will be made for the voting round.
How will I know if I advanced into the voting round?
You will be contacted via email upon advancement into the voting round. Our small team does its best to find as many emails as possible for the top five nominees in each category to notify them of advancement. There will be a new set of promotional graphics for download to help you market yourself or your business for the voting round.
Does The Bend nominate and/or vote for their own favorites?
No. The ballot is solely populated by the public’s nominations and votes. However, in past issues, we have published “editor’s picks,” which appear separately alongside the reader’s choice winners and are selected by our editorial team.
Do I have to pay to be represented on the ballot and/or win?
No! The results are based 100% on the public’s nominations and votes. Ballot advertising options will be available during the voting period. Advertisers may use Local’s List promotional graphics to boost their exposure, but being an advertiser in The Bend or advertising on the ballot itself does not guarantee anything for the contest.
How many times can I nominate my favorites?
When interacting with the ballot for the first time, it will prompt you to enter an email. Each email is only allowed to nominate ONCE per category.
How will I know if I won my category?
Winners will be notified via email about 1-2 weeks after voting closes.
When will the winners be announced?
Winners will be announced to the public upon the release of the July 2025 issue. Sign up for The Bend’s newsletters to be the first to find out the winners and subscribe to receive the print issue in your mailbox!
Will there be a party for The Local’s List this year?
Yes! Stay tuned for details on The Local’s List Party.
Have you nominated your favorite local businesses, people, places and services in The Local’s List 2025 yet? What are you waiting for? Start now!
