Vice President Kamala Harris’ debate against Donald Trump appears to have had a huge impact on Taylor Swift and the Swifties.
On Tuesday morning, Swift urged her 272 million Instagram followers to register to vote, leading to a significant surge in registrations. According to the nonpartisan nonprofit Vote.org, the post contributed to over 35,000 new voter registrations.
Swift wrote, “I’ve been so lucky to see so many of you at my U.S. shows recently. 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!” Her Instagram Stories included a link directing users to Vote.org.
The 35,252 registrations on National Voter Registration Day were the highest since 2020 and represented a 23% increase over last year, according to Vote.org. The number of 18-year-olds registering was more than double that of 2022, a promising indicator of youth engagement in the electoral process.
Andrea Hailey, CEO of Vote.org, described the spike as a “highly encouraging sign of voter enthusiasm,” particularly among newly eligible voters. While the exact number of registrations linked directly to Swift’s post is unclear, Vote.org noted a 1,226% increase in site participation in the hour following the post.
Hailey added, “Our site was averaging 13,000 users every 30 minutes — a number Taylor Swift would be proud of,” referencing Swift’s well-known affinity for the number 13.
Swift has previously encouraged voter registration, although she avoided political endorsements for years. That changed in 2018 when she backed Democratic candidates in Tennessee’s congressional races. Her recent call to action was nonpartisan, focusing solely on voter participation.
Swift’s influence comes at a time of heightened visibility, due to her record-breaking Eras tour and the release of her re-recorded albums, Speak Now in July and 1989 set for October. National Voter Registration Day, established in 2012, has seen support from various organizations, including the League of Women Voters and HeadCount, which partners with musicians to register voters at concerts.
Cardi B and Beyoncé are among other entertainers to endorse the Vice President.