Washington, Jan 8 It has been revealed that voters for both the Oscars and the SAG awards need not vote for the actors according to the categories the studios have put them in.

The voters can, as per reports, elevate an actor from supporting to lead or send a lead down to supporting, as they see fit.

"It has always (at least in modern history) been the case that it is up to the individual Academy member voter to determine if a performance is lead or supporting," Fox News quoted an Oscar insider as saying.

"They are provided a list of ALL eligible performers and then they write them in under the category they wish to nominate for. There is a letter that advises them of this which accompanies the actual ballot.

"The studios/distributors/marketers/etc. can advertise and promote performers however they wish to, but our members are not in any way bound to follow that," the insider added. (ANI)