The midterm election is taking place on November 6th and celebrities, like Taylor Swift and Sophia Bush, are using their social media presence to make a difference.
The Power of Political Posts
Over the past few years, many celebrities have shifted their focus from their own work to political activism. They have participated in protests, made comments about our political climate during award shows, and most effectively reached out to their fans through social media.
The power of celebrity influence is apparent, as Taylor Swift caused a spike in voting registration after making a post encouraging her fans to register. According to The New York Times, “more than 166,000 people across the United States submitted new registrations on Vote.org [after Swift’s post], with about 42 percent of the registrants falling between the ages of 18 to 24, officials at the site said.” Based on these numbers, it looks like Swifties are poised to exercise their right to vote with ease.
Courtesy: Instagram
Sophia Bush is not only famous for her iconic role as Brooke Davis in One Tree Hill but has dedicated her social media platform to inform her followers on political injustices. She most recently has been encouraging others to vote in the midterm elections through political posts, Instagram live streams with political figures and daily updates of candidates on her Instagram stories. This is a woman who will not be silenced!
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The hopeful intent of a celebrity getting political is to inform, not impose and that is what these two powerful woman and many more are achieving. They are using their voices to seek real change on issues ranging from gun control, human rights and the threat of nuclear war.
Midterm Elections Matter
A common misconception is that midterm elections aren’t as important as presidential elections. That is not true, especially this year! This midterm election carries a lot of weight, and the results from these polls can invoke change. The purpose of the midterm election is to evaluate the first two years of a president’s term and make necessary changes for the final two years of their term. In this election, voters will decide who fills the seats of the entire House of Representatives, a third of the Senate, 36 governorships, and many state legislature seats. Which basically means, just by showing up and filling out a ballot, you will have the ability to help shape the American political landscape for many years to come.
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If you have found yourself worried about the direction that our nation is headed, then this is the time to change it. It’s okay to feel overwhelmed with this task, but you don’t have to be. There are lots of resources available to help you make the right decision for yourself and your community. That way when you walk into your polling place you can be ready and relaxed. For more information on the candidates and what they stand for, Ballot Ready provides a voter guide in the form of a practice ballot. You can also check your voter status and polling place here.
Courtesy: Tenor