Celebrities are using their voices to encourage their fans to head to the polls and vote during this year’s midterm elections. A slew of prominent Black figures, including The Chi creator Lena Waithe, Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), singer Chaka Khan and Bernice A. King, the daughter of Martin Luther King Jr., urged the EBONY.com audience to exercise their right to vote.
Midterm elections typically draw less interest than presidential elections, and the voter turnout usually dips. The 2018 midterms, however, are essential because they can determine the makeup of the Senate and the House of Representatives, which can affect President Donald Trump’s ability to govern.
According to CNN, Democrats need a net gain of 23 seats in the House and a net gain of two seats in Senate to take control away from the Republicans. A Democratic victory in either chamber of Congress will likely allow the party more power to investigate Trump’s administration and to fight back against some of its bigoted policies.
Voters also have a chance to make history because the election features the most diverse group of candidates—from the LGBTQ community, different ethnic backgrounds and a record number of women— in U.S. history
Lena Waithe
https://twitter.com/EBONYMag/status/1059868429128290304
Bernice A. King
Generational wisdom passed down from Dr.King & Coretta Scott King to @BerniceKing, and now to our #EBONYfamily! Go #BeAVoter & get your #EBONYVOTE heard! The Kings dedicated their life to our rights to give us this chance, don’t waste it, lets make them proud! #ElectionDay pic.twitter.com/ANZWZgWCAZ
— EBONY MAGAZINE (@EBONYMag) November 6, 2018
Sen. Cory Booker
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bp2BS9ygljb/
Chaka Khan
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bp2OwDfgttT/
Charlamagne Tha God
We have the opportunity to make the necessary changes to this government! Listen to @cthagod, and make some moves #EBONYfamily! Go #BeAVoter & get your #EBONYVOTE heard! Don't be a #DonkeyOfTheDay, make sure you go out and make your voice heard! #ElectionDay pic.twitter.com/DxuqB6G3di
— EBONY MAGAZINE (@EBONYMag) November 6, 2018
K. Michelle
Gabourey Sidibe
Danielle Brooks
Brittany Packnett
Jovita Moore
Holly Robinson Peete
Logan Browning
Miss Braxton
Nischelle Turner
Rochelle Ritchie
Yvette Nicole Brown
Zellie Imani
Titus O’Neil
Make sure you head out to vote and check out the other celebrities who headed to the polls or advocated for voting during the midterm elections below.
Alicia Keys
Election Day is a few hours away!! I want you to post a picture of yourself after you’ve voted, tagging me and using #VoteWithUs. I’ll be reposting as many of you as I can in my IG story until the polls close! WE got this!!! 💥💥💥💜💜💜 #Vote pic.twitter.com/mXGiJkrLYX
— Alicia Keys (@aliciakeys) November 6, 2018
Kerry Washington
https://www.instagram.com/p/BpsTCWjHecD/?utm_source=ig_embed
Lin-Manuel Miranda
It’s pouring outside.
But my voter spot was packed.
Never been so happy to wait in line. #Vote2018 pic.twitter.com/ns4UYdt3YO— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) November 6, 2018
Diddy
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bp1z-vSn5UT/?utm_source=ig_embed
Chadwick Boseman
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bp1zJfJgYOI/
Rihanna
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bp2DNjBB-S6/
Oprah
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bp0Y3C6BjEK/