The Los Angeles Times reports that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will allow all members to vote in the foreign language film and documentary shorts category. The announcement was made Saturday during the organization’s first general membership meeting.

Previously, members of the Academy of motion Picture Arts and Sciences were required to view foreign language films and documentary shorts in a theater in order to vote in both categories. Now, members of the academy will be allowed to view the nominated films in a theater or on a DVD.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the new voting rules will allow the “full membership of the Academy” to vote in all 24 Oscar categories in the final round of balloting for the first time in Oscar history.

“This change continues our efforts to expand our members’ participation in all aspects of the Academy’s activities including, of course, voting for the Oscars,” Academy president Hawk Koch said in a news release on the rule change announcement. “Building on this past season’s 90 percent record voter turnout, we want to give our members as many opportunities as possible to see these great films an vote in these categories next year.”

Several other important issues were discussed during the Academy’s general membership meeting. THR reports that Academy officials plan to continue to offer paper ballots during the 2014 awards season. Also, the rules for best picture voting that can lead to five to ten nominees will remain unchanged.

When asked if Seth MacFarlane will be asked back for a second round of hosting, Koch said, “It’s too early to speculate on that.”

See the Los Angeles Times‘ timeline of Academy Awards through the years.

Will these new voting rules lead to any significant changes for potential Oscar winners? Did the right films, directors, actors and actresses win in 2013? Should the Academy make any other changes for 2014? Should MacFarlane host again? Share your thoughts in the comments section.