Frequently Asked Questions

At the end of the nomination period, we will tally up the top vote-getters in each category and declare the FINALISTS. During the Finals Period (May 7 – June 1) you can only vote for those who advance to that round. There is no open voting during finals. You can vote once per day per category at www.votenappies.com. We will announce the winners in our July 16 issue and celebrate with a big party and ceremony at the Saenger Theater on Friday, July 18.

No! The Nappies results are based 100 percent on the public’s nominations and votes.

We offer advertising packages, which include ad spots on the ballot, ads in the newspaper, and ads across social media. These advertising packages give businesses more exposure, as we generally get well over a million votes. But advertising does NOT guarantee anything for the contest. The advertising dollars generated help us offset the huge expense of putting on this major event on for our city every year. So, we do appreciate the support! But please remember advertising doesn’t guarantee a win!

The more specific the better! In some instances, we can’t approve a nomination unless it includes sufficient information. For example, if you’re nominating “Fred” for Best Bartender, please specify at least “Fred at Thirsty Bar,” if you do not know first and last name. For teachers, please write Jane Smith at (Whatever) School. And for doctors, please just write their first and last names, do not include, Dr. at the beginning or MD at the end, for example, Derek Shepherd or Trapper John at Alabama Medical Associates.

Google is the responsible party. We have no control over it. But we like it because it keeps the back end “cleaner,” as it prevents misspellings. Make sure you are registered with Google and your information is showing up. For more information, visit Google Business here. https://www.google.com/business/

Yes. The ballot software is smart and powered by AI. It knows to catch similar spellings and asks us if we want to combine that one with the correct spelling? Once we do that one time, even if multiple people vote for you with an incorrect spelling, it will continue to be counted. Hey, our name is Lagniappe, so we get it.

Every year, we take a close look at the categories from the previous year’s ballot. Some categories get added based on reader feedback/suggestions. Others are dropped due to low engagement. Some categories are combined. Some are reworded for clarity. We do our best to consider the impact of these changes but in order to add new categories it is necessary to remove some. If you don’t have a category that fits, we encourage nominations in “My business is awesome but I don’t have a category” in the City Life group. Also vote for the specific category you would like to see the following year in “Nappie Category for 2026” also under City Life. Once voting begins we cannot change the ballot.

Download these free graphics to help get the word out, and make sure to check out our marketing tips. Or look at these advertising options.

Yes! As long as you’ve already registered (entered your email address on the form on your first nomination or vote), you can pick up where you left off. When you return to the ballot on the same device, you should be automatically logged in and able to see your previous selections. If you aren’t logged in and you know that you’ve already registered, click the “Already entered?” link at the top of the ballot, then enter the email address you previously used.

First, check your spam folder. If you don’t find the email in your spam folder, follow these instructions.

Our ballot software requires that users create an account to track your selections. This helps us guard against fraudulent voting and allows you to revisit the ballot before deadline to make changes and additional nominations. There is no password needed!

Only if you want to waste money. These are fraudsters! Unfortunately, there are actors who try to profit off of these contests all over the country. But the ballot software filters out all of these “purchased votes.” And we disqualify anyone who uses them. Yes, we can see who does it. So just bug your friends, family and/or customers to vote for you.

Winners will be announced in the July 16 issue of Lagniappe as well as online on votenappies.com. Lagniappe subscribers get a sneak peek at both the finalists and winners before they are printed in the paper or announced on votenappies.com. If you are not a subscriber, click here.

We do our best to notify finalists in early to mid-April (typically by email or social media), prior to the next voting round. We begin to notify winners in mid-June. With the finalists, it is not always possible for us to notify everyone, especially if contact information is not easily found. So, if you have not heard from us by mid-April, you can call our office manager Jackie Cruthirds at 251-450-446 and she will let you if you have made it to the next round.

Friday, July 18, 2025 at the Saenger Theatre in Downtown Mobile.

No. With so many categories, we no longer have winners walk up on stage like we once did. Instead, when we notify you of your win, we will send you instructions on how to send in a pre-recorded “acceptance speech” or video. This has really become a highlight of the show as everyone gets so creative, and it also makes what is a very long show at least somewhat shorter. And certainly way more enjoyable.

No. Only for winners and their guests.

We always say anything goes! You really can’t go wrong. This year’s tropical theme is “Nappies in Paradise,” with a slight nod to our native “son of a son of a sailor,” Jimmy Buffett. So, we are encouraging “tropical cocktail” – florals or brightly-colored cocktail dresses or shirts. Or full on Parrothead gear!