16 years after Diddy told us to Vote or Die, things here in America are seemingly more dyer than ever. Everyday citizens worried about things like a global pandemic, racial and social inequality, historic levels of unemployment, police brutality, gun control, LGBTQ rights, immigration, voter suppression and healthcare reform, are steadily being encouraged to exercise their right to vote in the 2020 presidential election and beyond.
Strippers want us to get our booties to the polls and so does former NYC Mayor and stop-and-frisk supporter, Michael Bloomberg, who helped raise $16 million to fight voter disenfranchisement in Florida. Politicians with questionable histories and pole dancers aren’t the only ones trying to get people to the polls on November 3rd. Retailers like Foot Locker and Saks Fifth Avenue, as well as sites such as LA’s Staple Center and Live Nation-operated venues across the country have announced plans to transition into pop-up polling centers where voters can find voting-related information, check their registration status, register to vote and submit absentee ballots. Take a look at how artists, athletes and others are getting fans ready to vote.
Cardi B
Whether she’s defending her stances against the likes of Candace Owens or discussing issues affecting her community with presidential candidates like Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden, you can count on Cardi B to be a voice of the people. “I feel like Black people, we’re not asking for sympathy, we’re not asking for charity — we are just asking for equality,” she explained during a recent chat with the current Democratic presidential nominee. The People’s champ also regularly promotes voter registration efforts, letting her audience —which includes 75 million followers on IG alone —know that their votes count.
Virgil Abloh
Since being called out earlier this year, Virgil Abloh has made a bigger commitment to supporting young Black creatives. His most recent contribution to his cause is the “Swing State” Voter Registration Incentive T-shirt. Proceeds from this piece of drip will support the Louis Vuitton and Off-White designer’s Post-Modern Scholarship Fund, which has so far raised over a million dollars for Black students.
Run The Jewels
In honor of your right to vote, Run The Jewels is teaming up with Ben & Jerry’s and Adult Swim to present Holy Calamavote: A Special Performance by Run The Jewels. The concert will take place on October 10th and will feature Run The Jewels performing their latest album RTJ4 in its entirety for the first time.
With some help from @BenandJerrys, we’re celebrating your right to vote by doing our first-ever performance of #RTJ4 on @AdultSwim – October 10. Pledge to vote this November by texting RTJ2020. Plot. Plan. Strategize. Organize. Mobilize. #HolyCalamavote pic.twitter.com/g3HmLfKP5O
— Run The Jewels (@runjewels) September 21, 2020
LeBron James
Never one to just shut up and dribble, LeBron James often voices his thoughts on important social issues. He also takes action. The four-time MVP, along with the help of famous friends including Skylar Diggins-Smith and Kevin Hart, launched the More Than a Vote organization, which is focused on encouraging young minorities to get active in the 2020 Election. “We want you to go out and vote, but we’re also going to give you the tutorial,” said James. “We’re going to give you the background of how to vote and what they’re trying to do, the other side, to stop you from voting.”
DJ Khaled, Usher, Taylor Swift and others
Pop stars including DJ Khaled, Usher and Taylor Swift are lending their voices, talents and other things in support of getting 50,000 young people registered to vote prior to election day. In hopes of increasing voter participation among young people, Global Citizen and HeadCount’s Just Vote campaign is offering access to unique experiences such as a virtual dance lesson featuring Usher and a meet and greet with Khaled to those interested in registering to vote.
Happy #NationalVoterRegistrationDay to my US fans! If you go check your voter registration status right now with @GlblCtzn & @HeadCountOrg , you can enter to win a virtual meet & greet with me. #JustVotehttps://t.co/mUcZ6aQYeJ pic.twitter.com/rdXJR6TR2y
— DJ KHALED (@djkhaled) September 22, 2020
2 Chainz
According to When We All Vote, its goal is to “increase participation in every election and close the race and age voting gap by changing the culture around voting.” The Michelle Obama-led nonprofit organization tapped 2 Chainz to help school formerly incarcerated Americans on their current voting rights. In support of When We All Vote, the Grammy-nominated rapper has stressed the importance of knowing local laws and how those laws influence an individual’s eligibility to cast a vote post prison.
Photo via Twitter
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