The pop superstar Taylor Swift is a major influence that any presidential candidate would be lucky to have on their side. After helping register enough voters in a single election last September to swing close races in many states during the midterm elections, Swift’s voting fan base could have an impact on the 2024 presidential election.
How big of an impact? Let’s get into it.
Taylor Swift’s Influence Is Unquestionable
Swift, who has dominated the pop culture lexicon over the last few years with the Taylor Swift: Era’s Tour, releasing albums and re-recordings, and dating high-profile celebrities like Travis Kelce, has a huge fan base that reaches the furthest corners of the world.
After Swift posted a signup link on her Instagram for fans to register to vote, over 30,000 people, including teens will be eligible to vote in the upcoming election.
Will Taylor Swift’s Voters Impact the Presidential Election?
The top states that had the most registered new voters include Texas, California, New York, Illinois, and Florida, according to USA Today. Swift, who has recently been more vocal about her political preferences, leans more liberal.
While the number of new voters is not enough to sway the outcome of the presidential election, Swift has a wide range of fans: men, women, millennials, Gen Z, and more.
Which State Is Impacted by Taylor Swift’s Influence?
The state where Swift had the biggest single-day impact was Texas. About 2,700 new registrations were recorded, with 4.562 new voters registered the following ten days. Overall, Texas has about 17.7 million registered voters.
While Texas is a reliable “red” state, which means they often vote Republican, there are a few other states that could be impacted by Swift’s influence.
When Did Taylor Swift Become Political Active?
Swift became more outspoken about her political stance in recent years. The pop superstar leans liberal, advocating for LGBTQ+ rights, reproductive rights, and gun safety reform.
In 2018, Swift revealed in her Netflix documentary, “Taylor Swift: Miss Americana,” that she wanted to advocate for the rights she believes in on her enormous platform, changing the well-crafted “Girl Next Door” image she and her label spent a decade crafting.
Taylor Swift’s Message to Young Voters
“I’ve been so lucky to see so many of you guys at my U.S. shows recently,” Swift said in a post on Instagram account. “I’ve heard you raise your voices, and I know how powerful they are. Make sure you’re ready to use them in our elections this year!
Swift encourages her fans to vote but tries to remain neutral about candidates. However, the singer has endorsed two Democratic candidates during the 2018 Congressional election in Tennessee. In 2016, Swift condemned Donald Trump during his campaign.
Which Elections Can Be Influenced By Younger Voters
While Swift may not be able to influence the outcome of the 2024 presidential election, her fan base could have an impact in several U.S. House races, which were decided by fewer than 1,000 votes in 2022.
Experts have told USA Today that the number of youth registered voters will hit a record high this year, blowing the record high of young voters from 2022 out of the water.
Vote.org CEO Has Faith In the Younger Voters
Andrea Hailey, the CEO of nonpartisan Vote.org, said that the website registered 279,400 new voters last year. “The younger generation is really starting to connect the dots between what they care about and participation numbers.”
“When you have someone registering 30,000 votes at a time it absolutely can have an impact,” Hailey said.
Does Gen Z Vote?
While voting is a right that everyone should exercise, youth voting turnout has been a concern for experts. Many voters don’t bother voting, afraid that their vote doesn’t matter at the end of the day.
In the 2020 election, 48 percent of eligible voters aged 18-29 cast a ballot. Compared to audiences 65-74, in which 73 percent of eligible voters turned out to vote, the number is shockingly low.
Can Younger Voters Influence the Bigger Elections?
In the U.S. 170 million people are registered to vote. Hailey told USA Today that 80 percent of people who register on Vote.org actually participate in elections. Those are not bad numbers, all things considered.
Tufts University’s nonpartisan Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) discovered that several states could be affected by youth voting turnout: Wisconsin, Georgia, Arizona, and a few more.
Where Younger Voters Matter the Most
“We’ve been in a period of historically high, record-setting youth participation, and it certainly has made a difference and shaped election results,” said CIRCLE spokesman Alberto Medina. “There’s a growing recognition that the youth vote is both valuable and powerful.”
USA Today reports that youth voters will affect Wisconsin, Georgia, and Arizona in the presidential race, Arizona, Ohio, and Montana for Senate races, and House races in Michigan, Oregon, and New York.
Big Stars Are Coming Out About Their Political Stances
Country stars often have a hard time voicing their political stances. In 2003, the Chicks, formerly known as the Dixie Chicks, saw their careers tank after criticizing President George W. Bush over the pending invasion of Iraq.
While Swift is not a Pentagon “asset” she has a level of respect and care for others and her fans that they trust. While her world is not absolute, people do listen to the pop star.
