National Voter Registration Day mobilizes celebrity action

Tuesday marks National Voter Registration Day , a nonpartisan civic holiday that encourages the American public to participate in civic engagement.

With less than 50 days remaining until Election Day, the outcome of the American election rests on the decisions of voters.

This day serves as an opportune moment for celebrities to leverage their influence, with many utilizing social media platforms to direct their extensive fan bases toward voting information.

Vote.org collaborated with Linktree on Tuesday, working with high-profile celebrities such as Olivia Rodrigo, Stephen Curry, and Kerry Washington who have transformed their Linktree profiles into "voter registration centers."

Vote.org's press release emphasizes that the "link-in-bio" feature on social media is the "most important online space" for these "influential figures."

"National Voter Registration Day presents the perfect opportunity for every American to celebrate our democratic system and the significant impact of our vote," Andrea Hailey, CEO of Vote.org, stated in the press release.

Finneas and Billie Ellish arriving on the red carpet at the 96th Annual Academy Awards in Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center in Hollywood, CA, March 10, 2024.
Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Musician siblings Billie Eilish and Finneas announced to their combined 123.2 million Instagram followers on Tuesday their support for Vice President Kamala Harris.

"Cast your vote as if your life depends on it, because it does," Eilish declared in the Instagram video.

"Their endorsement on National Voter Registration Day is another great example of how celebrities can use their platform to share a call to action and help members of their community navigate the voting process," Ashley Spillane, author of a recent Harvard study that found celebrities do have an impact on elections, said in a statement shared with
.

Swifties for Kamala – a grassroots group of Taylor Swift fans supporting Harris – also recognized National Voter Registration Day with an Eras-tour inspired info-graphic detailing voting deadlines on Tuesday.

Following Taylor Swift's public support for Harris's presidential campaign last week, Vote.org witnessed a surge in voter registrations, with over 52,000 individuals registering through their website, including more than 10,000 from key battleground states.

While there is no way to connect each registration to Swift's post directly, Hailey told
, "Taylor Swift's impact on voter engagement is undeniable."

Despite Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance's assertion on Friday that Swift was "fundamentally disconnected from the concerns and issues facing most Americans" and former president Donald Trump's remark , "I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT!" on Sunday, their campaign continues to leverage Swift-related content. Previously, Trump had shared AI-generated images implying Taylor Swift and her fan base were endorsing him, and his campaign recently launched merchandise related to Swift's Eras Tour on Trump's behalf.

Taylor Swift arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards, Sept. 11, 2024, at UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y.
Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

Vote.org also announced partnerships with popular platforms like Snapchat, Tinder, and Saks on Tuesday, initiatives they believe will reach "an unprecedented number of eligible voters."

The non-profit, non-partisan organization reported that it has already registered over one million Americans to vote in this election cycle, with 79% being voters under the age of 35. The organization stated that its strategic partnerships with influencers have become a "core pillar" of its initiatives.

ICON MANN, a media production and management consultancy representing the African Diaspora, also participated in National Voter Registration Day by assembling a group of influential Hollywood voices for a video campaign titled, " I, TOO AM AMERICA ."

Drawing inspiration from Langston Hughes' iconic poem "I, Too," the campaign showcases prominent figures from diverse backgrounds, aiming to highlight "the crucial role of voting as a unifying force."

"This election feels critical," Tony Award-winning actress Anika Noni Rose remarked, adding, "My vote is about having control over my body."

"My vote is about loving who I love," stated actor and activist Jason Butler Harner during the campaign.

Voters enter and exit the Austin City Hall during the presidential primary in Austin, Texas on Super Tuesday, March 3, 2020.
Suzanne Cordeiro/AFP via Getty Images, File

While these efforts to "get the vote out" are nonpartisan, the candidates have been eager to integrate celebrity culture into their campaigns.

With popular performances at rallies and a significant amount of online attention , Harris has been perceived as the candidate who appeals most to pop culture.

With notable appearances at rallies and widespread online attention, Harris has been perceived as the candidate who resonates most with popular culture. However, Trump has also embraced the power of celebrity, as seen at his Las Vegas rally on Saturday where he welcomed popular social media personalities Bryce Hall and NELK Boys.

Content creator Tana Mongeau also hinted on a recent episode of her "Cancelled" podcast that she had been offered a substantial sum to endorse a candidate, highlighting the importance campaigns are placing on celebrity endorsements.


' Oren Oppenheim contributed to this report.