Casting an 'Idol' vote all too easy

If hometown pride has hooked you on "American Idol" and got you thinking about casting a vote, it's pretty simple.

There are a couple ways to vote for either Mount Prospect native Lee DeWyze or Crystal Bowersox of Ohio. You don't even have to watch tonight's 7 p.m. show on Fox if you can get someone to tell you what numbers to call - or look them up on the Internet.

Here are some answers to your "Idol" voting questions:

Who can vote? Anybody in the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

How do I vote? You can call or text. There will be separate toll-free numbers for finalists DeWyze and Bowersox. The numbers (and each will have more than one) are shown on the screen while the contestants are singing and at the end of the performance. You can also text in your vote. The four-digit numbers will be provided during the show.

Will it cost me to vote? There is no cost if you call from a land line or if evening calls on your cell phone are free. If you text, there will be standard texting charges for both the texts you send and the confirmation texts you receive. AT&T, a sponsor of the show, provides some discounts for voting.

When can I vote? For two hours after the show ends at 8 p.m.

Will I get a busy signal? Most likely. There are, after all, millions of viewers voting. According to Fox, the worst time to call is right after the show ends.

How many times can I vote? As many times as you're able.

Can I power text? "Idol" reportedly discourages texting multiple votes at the same time. The show's website says the company that manages the voting reserves the right to remove so-called "power dialing votes."

Are there any computer programs I can use? You could download dialidol.com and use it to make phone calls. The program for your computer dials the number to vote for your favorite contestant over and over, so you don't have to tire your fingers.