Harvard Study Highlights Celebrities' Election Influence

A recent study from Harvard University reveals that celebrities like Taylor Swift, Trevor Noah, and Billie Eilish have a significant impact on American elections, influencing voter turnout and civic engagement. While many claim they are not swayed by celebrity opinions, the study indicates that these voices are powerful and increasingly sought by nonprofits and political candidates. For instance, Taylor Swift's promotion of Vote.org in 2018 led to 250,000 new voter registrations in just three days. The research underscores that celebrities serve as effective surrogates for candidates, helping to rally supporters and draw large crowds to events. Despite skepticism about celebrity influence, both political parties actively leverage star power to engage voters. The study concludes that enhancing celebrity involvement could help address low voter participation in the U.S., which currently ranks 31st among developed nations.