Celebrities including Roseanne Barr, Conan O'Brien, Cardi B, Bruce Springsteen and Paula Abdul used social media to make final appeals as Americans vote in the November 3 midterm elections. Some stars focused on participation without backing candidates, while others made explicit political endorsements in closely watched races. Springsteen backed Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan, while former Millionaire Matchmaker host Patti Stanger urged voters there to support Mike Rogers.
Celebrity involvement has become part of the final stretch of major U.S. elections, giving campaigns and political causes access to audiences that might not ordinarily engage with campaign messaging. This year's last-minute posts range from broad reminders to vote to direct appeals for particular candidates, showing the different ways public figures are choosing to enter the political conversation. Several stars avoided telling followers which candidates to support and instead focused on voting itself.
Cardi B acknowledged the flood of political discussion online before urging people to act on it at the ballot box. "I know social media is all the talk, debates, and chatter…but make sure you get out and vote tomorrow so you can make the change you want to see," the rapper wrote in a post shared ahead of Election Day. O'Brien took a practical approach, announcing that he had voted and directing followers toward information for finding polling places or drop boxes.
Abdul similarly kept her message nonpartisan, writing: "Just a little reminder that YOUR voice matters! Please get out there and VOTE!" Director Ron Howard encouraged followers to look beyond political presentation and "analyze thoughtfully," while keeping his central request simple: vote. Actor Billy Baldwin framed his Election Day message around democratic principles, calling on followers to "stand up for the constitution, liberty, rule of law, truth, accountability, decency…democracy." Spencer Pratt took a different route with a lengthy Election Day message explaining why he would not endorse a candidate or instruct followers how to cast their ballots.
"I'm never gonna be that pompous, condescending, know-it-all who's gonna lecture you on who to vote for today," Pratt wrote. "I don't even like voting for people. I vote for principles." The reality television personality compared politicians to "rental cars," arguing voters should concentrate on their goals and values rather than becoming personally attached to candidates.
Pratt also stopped short of insisting that people participate. Instead, he asked followers to appreciate their ability to vote and said he respected supporters too much to instruct them how they should do so. "Just one moralizing lecture point today: have gratitude," he wrote.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
