im guessing its not happening this year,

but in previous years the judges loose their vote and it goes down to the public vote

anyone know when that usually happens?

Usually when they get down to the last five, which would be this week if there wasn't any wildcards. Having extra contestants means the judges get to have control for longer. Next week should be public vote but who knows. I made a similar thread and didn't get any posts

The public have never had complete control until Mr Simon Cowell was satisfied the public were voting the way he wanted them to vote. There are no rules.