What impact could Taylor Swift really have on the US election?

Taylor Swift, a well-known pop star, has recently made headlines for her influence on the upcoming US election. Many of her fans, known as 'Swifties', are becoming more politically active, thanks in part to her endorsement of Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee for vice president. One fan, Noel Drake, who is 29 years old and lives in Utah, shared her feelings about politics before this year. She described her outlook as 'very bleak' and felt completely disillusioned during the 2020 presidential election. However, after Taylor Swift publicly supported Harris, Noel felt a shift in her perspective. She stated, 'With this sense of community that I have established through interacting with other Swifties online, it has really changed the way I interact with politics this election cycle. ' This newfound sense of community has led her to join a fan-led campaign group called 'Swifties for Kamala', which, while not officially connected to the Harris campaign, maintains regular communication with campaign staff. Through her interactions with other fans, Noel has decided to become more involved in local campaigning efforts in her home state. The BBC has discovered numerous voters like Noel who claim that social media posts from Taylor Swift and her dedicated fans have motivated them to participate in voting and activism. However, being a fan of Taylor Swift does not guarantee that someone will vote the same way she does. For instance, a 27-year-old named Destiny from South Carolina, who prefers to keep her last name private, mentioned that she and her boyfriend are 'not that political. ' Yet, the posts from 'Swifties for Kamala' have helped her solidify her decision to vote for the Democrats in this election. She expressed her desire for a woman president who shares her values, saying, 'This is my first election that has pushed me to vote for this reason. ' Interestingly, her boyfriend, who she described as 'moderately conservative', has also been influenced to vote for Harris, thanks in part to the messaging from the Swifties for Kamala group. This illustrates the significant impact that Taylor Swift's influence can have on her fans and their political choices. The power of celebrity endorsements in politics is not a new concept, but it has gained renewed attention in this election cycle. A study conducted by the Harvard Kennedy School examined the effects of celebrity endorsements on voter registration and found that their 'authenticity' can play a crucial role in motivating individuals to vote. Ashley Spillane, the study's author, explained that celebrities are uniquely positioned to address issues that contribute to voter apathy, such as a lack of information, trust, and motivation. She stated, 'People know them from places outside of politics, which makes their involvement feel deeper and less self-interested. ' Following Taylor Swift's endorsement of Kamala Harris on Instagram, a remarkable 340,000 people visited vote. gov, a voter registration website, using a custom link she created within just 24 hours. While Kamala Harris has received endorsements from Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, and other prominent figures, Donald Trump also has his share of celebrity supporters. Endorsements from figures like Kid Rock, Elon Musk, and John Voight may help Trump connect with young male voters in a similar way that Swift's endorsement has bolstered Harris's appeal among young women. However, celebrity endorsements can have mixed results. A recent Quinnipiac University poll revealed that while 9% of respondents felt 'more enthusiastic' about Harris after Swift's endorsement, 13% reported feeling 'less enthusiastic. ' The poll also examined the impact of Musk's endorsement on perceptions of Trump, with 13% feeling more enthusiastic and 21% feeling less. Ultimately, the true impact of celebrity endorsements on this election will not be known until after November. In what is expected to be a closely contested election, these online supporter groups could play a pivotal role in motivating voters, particularly in swing states where the outcome may be determined by a small number of votes. Ms. Kim, a co-founder of Swifties for Kamala, emphasized that the group is focusing its efforts on swing states. Peggy Rowe, a supporter from Arizona, shared that her support for Harris was strengthened by her stance on abortion rights. She stated, 'I’m very passionate about reproductive rights and social media has further confirmed my opinions. ' The Swifties for Kamala group is employing traditional campaign methods while adding a unique twist that resonates with fans. At events, they distribute friendship bracelets featuring political slogans like 'in my voting era', a nod to Swift's Eras tour, where fans trade bracelets as a sign of their dedication. Ms. Kim mentioned that they have recently begun face-to-face campaigning and are actively calling and texting followers. Their goal is to make 22 million direct voter contacts by Election Day. As of mid-October, the Swifties for Kamala group has raised over $200,000 for Harris's campaign. However, not all Swift fans are swayed by the political messages. Some fans remain loyal to their preferred candidates, even if it means going against Taylor Swift's views. Bri, a fan from Massachusetts, expressed her belief that Swift should stay out of politics, stating, 'She is the only celebrity who has that amount of pull that she shouldn’t mention politics during an election year. ' Despite differing opinions, the Swifties for Kamala group is striving to maintain a respectful and friendly atmosphere. Ms. Kim noted that engaging in heated online debates is somewhat of a 'rite of passage' for Swift's fandom, but the group has established guidelines to prevent negativity. They aim to win over voters who may not share the same political views, with Ms. Kim stating, 'I think it’s always good to try to bridge the gap.