By Diego Ramos Bechara
New Harvard research shows celebrity votes can influence election outcomes
A new study from Harvard University finds that celebrities can play an influential role in encouraging voter turnout and other civic engagement.
With just 80 days to go until the 2024 election, the study — authored by Ashley Spillane and published through The Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation and the Harvard Kennedy School — offers timely insights into how celebrities are using their platforms to turn out people and encourage political dialogue in the US.
The study focused on nonpartisan activities – such as general voter education, registration and mobilization – rather than actions taken by a specific candidate or party. Past efforts by celebrities including Taylor Swift, Kerry Washington, Billie Eilish, Trevor Noah, Hailey Biiber, David Dobrik and Questlove were analyzed.
