While watching Saturday Night Live's parody of celebrity 'get out the vote' efforts, it may seem obvious that you shouldn't exercise your democratic right just because Emma Stone told you to. Despite it seeming laughably calculated, it's better to be a celebrity who uses their platform to disseminate useful information, than one who devotes their time to promoting appetite-suppressing lollipops.
The wave of celebrity political activism may be new for someone like Taylor Swift, however people like Chance The Rapper and Leonardo DiCaprio have tapped into their fan bases in the past to discuss issues that matter to them most. That's not to say that Taylor's efforts mean any less than similar call-to-action pleas, after all, her lengthy Instagram post endorsing Tennessee Democrats was followed by a 65,000-person spike in national voter registration.
So, in case you need another reminder as to why the midterm elections matter more this year than perhaps any other, check out the celebrities who want you to vote this November 6th.
Chance The Rapper and Steph Curry
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Since endorsing Chicago mayoral candidate Amara Enyia, Chance the Rapper has broadened his scope outside of his hometown. In a special episode of HBO's Pod Save America, Chance The Rapper and Steph Curry appear alongside Democracy Or Else host Akilah Hughes to urge eligible voters to get to the polls this Tuesday.
Curry and Chance appear in neighboring hotel beds after the latter had a spider scare in his room. Hughes then educates the two as to how easy in-person and absentee voting is. Hughes then directs viewers to votesaveamerica.com, where you can find your nearest polling location and know who and what to expect on your ballot.
Michelle Obama, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Chris Paul, Janelle Monáe, Tom Hanks
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Michelle Obama has been at the forefront of the political conversation for over a decade. For this year's midterm elections, she teamed up with Lin-Manuel Miranda, Chris Paul, Janelle Monáe, Tom Hanks and When We All Vote to campaign for voter registration and political awareness. Obama and Miranda stage a phone call in which the two converse over the importance of not only participating in presidential elections but also the number of state and local races that will be determined during this year's midterms.
Obama asks Miranda whether he can get the word out, which prompts him to then make a call to Chris Paul, who's shooting hoops. Paul then dials Janelle Monáe, who is in the process of registering voters. "Four million Americans turn 18 this year, and we need every last one of them to register and vote," Janelle says. "Cause let's be real, it's going to be the young people of this generation that will change the world," she adds.
Tom Hanks didn't want to miss out on the fun, which is why he suddenly appears to explain that our votes create a and sustain a democracy for the people, and by the people.
Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt
In a NowThis original video, Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt discuss the importance of this year's midterm elections through the lens of voting to safeguard issues currently at stake. Both actors discuss the range of divisive issues that the Trump administration has condemned or oppressively fought against, such as gun control, LGBTQ rights, climate change, comprehensive immigration reform, voter suppression and more.
DiCaprio and Pitt both explain what efforts can be done outside of simply voting like volunteering and encouraging friends and family to do the same. Pitt then directs viewers to thelastweekend.org to find out how to get involved in the days leading up to election day.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus
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Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who has first-hand experience playing the president in the HBO series Veep, partnered with Multiply Your Vote to encourage eligible voters to turn out on November 6th. The actress begins the video by indirectly discussing president Trump's ineptitude and why these midterm elections are so vital. Dreyfus is volunteering alongside fellow Democrats to ensure that progressives get their voices heard.
She goes on to explain the problems Republican congressmen and women have caused, and why she is advocating to replace them. Dreyfus directs viewers to multiplyyourvote.org where you can find out how and where to volunteer for progressives running across the country.
