As the 2024 presidential election approaches, one pop star has emerged as a surprising force in the world of voter mobilization: Sabrina Carpenter. The 25-year-old “Espresso” singer recently partnered with the nonpartisan organization HeadCount to break the record for most voters engaged by a musical artist. According to a report from Variety, Carpenter successfully registered over 35,800 new voters and engaged an additional 263,087 potential voters through her “Short n’ Sweet” arena tour.
Carpenter’s tireless efforts to engage her fans in the electoral process have significantly exceeded Ariana Grande’s previous record from 2019. Through giveaways, in-person activations, and video boards at her concert venues, the pop star encouraged concertgoers to check their voter registration status, find their polling locations, and make their voices heard at the ballot box.
“Sabrina Carpenter asked her fans to please, please, please do their civic duty,” the Variety report states. “The pop sensation engaged over 260,000 voters and registered more than 35,000 new voters ahead of the 2024 presidential election.”
Breaking Records And Inspiring Change
Carpenter’s commitment to voter engagement didn’t stop there. Prior to the “Short n’ Sweet” tour, she also teamed up with HeadCount to send two lucky fans to the 2024 Governors Ball Music Festival in June. That contest alone resulted in over 40,000 fans checking their voter registration status overnight.
“Through our partnerships with over 100 top music artists—llike Sabrina Carpenter, Green Day, Ariana Grande, and so many others—HHeadCount had a record-breaking year, registering over 450,000 new voters and engaging over a million more people to make sure they vote,” said Lucille Wenegieme, executive director of HeadCount.
Green Day’s “Saviors” tour also made a significant impact, registering over 7,900 new voters and engaging more than 61,000 individuals through in-person activations, according to the Variety report.
The Power Of Celebrity Influence
Carpenter’s efforts underscore the growing influence that celebrities have in inspiring civic engagement, especially among younger generations. Wenegieme pointed out that musicians and other public figures have a special “cultural cache” and “intimate connection” with their fans, which they can use to encourage political participation.
This trend has been on full display leading up to the 2024 election. Earlier this year, Taylor Swift made waves with an Instagram post endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris and directing her millions of followers to the vote.gov website, which saw a surge of nearly 350,000 visitors within 24 hours.
Rihanna has also used her platform to encourage Americans to vote, engaging in heated online debates about issues like immigration. Meanwhile, the Harris campaign has enlisted the support of a star-studded lineup, including appearances by Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez, Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, and more.
A Lasting Impact
Carpenter’s record-breaking voter engagement efforts are a testament to the power of celebrity influence and the crucial role that young people can play in shaping the future of the country. By leveraging her massive platform and deep connection with her fanbase, the “Taste” singer has inspired tens of thousands of individuals to get involved in the democratic process.
As the 2024 election approaches, it will be fascinating to see whether Carpenter and other artists can maintain this momentum and continue to mobilize voters, particularly among the crucial Gen Z and millennial demographics. Sabrina Carpenter has undoubtedly set a new standard for celebrity activism, leaving a lasting impact on the electoral landscape for years to come.
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