The U.S. is on track to have the highest voter turnout since 1908, and among those eager Americans casting their vote are some of your favorite celebrities. There are millions of new voters who didn't vote in the last election, including the following stars. In fact, these A-listers have never voted in any American election until now.
Whether they weren't old enough, weren't a U.S. citizen, had a criminal record, or just didn't think their voice mattered, these celebrities didn't vote in past elections. Now that they have participated in their first, they are proud to share their experience with fans. Here are 14 celebrities who voted for the first time in the 2020 election, and for more celebrity takes on the election, find out how Kanye West Responded to Jennifer Aniston's Comment About Voting for Him.
1 | Selena Gomez
ShutterstockThe 2020 election was the first time this 28-year-old singer voted. "Honestly, I’m not ashamed to say this, but ... this was my first time," Selena Gomez said on Oct. 24 during her live conversation with "Voting Power Hour." Gomez says she hadn't voted in past elections because she felt her vote didn't count.
However, Gomez has come around to believing in the power of the vote. "I’m now like admitting it to people, like my vote counts,” Gomez said. “Like, every little thing counts, so I just think some people get in their head, like, 'Oh well, what does it matter?' And then once I really, really started going in and diving into this, it’s been all I can focus on.” And for more interesting information delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.
2 | Ryan Reynolds
ShutterstockBlake Lively and Ryan Reynolds both posted to celebrate the Canadian Reynolds' first timing voting in a U.S. election. "It was Ryan's first time. He was understandably scared. It all happened so fast. Like, REALLY fast. He wept. I pretended to weep. Then he called all his friend," Lively's caption read. And to see an embarrassing photo of this first-time voter, Hugh Jackman Posts Dorky Ryan Reynolds Throwback Photo for His Birthday.
3 | Shaquille O'Neal
ShutterstockOn the Oct. 21 episode of Shaquille O'Neal's podcast The Big Podcast with Shaq, he admitted he has never voted. "I voted for the first time, and it feels good," the basketball star said. "You know I always like being honest on my podcast. I've never voted before, America. But now I'm doing all these voting campaigns."
4 | John Oliver
ShutterstockThe Last Week Tonight host got candid about his emotional experience as a first-time voter while talking to Stephen Colbert on the Nov. 3 episode of The Late Show. "As an immigrant who got his U.S. citizenship in December of last year, I was waiting for that to feel real," said John Oliver. "Scanning it into the machine and the machine saying, 'Your vote has been counted,'—I nearly burst into tears." And for another emotional celebrity moment, Lady Gaga Opens Up About Former Fiancé: "I Loved Him So Much."
5 | Tan France
ShutterstockBritish Queer Eye host Tan France gained U.S. citizenship on June 9 and with it the right to vote. "It’s something I’ve been working towards for literally 20 years, which makes this all the more emotional," wrote France. "And now, I will exercise my constitutional right as an American. Today, I will register to vote, and vote for the change I wish to see in OUR nation."
6 | Snoop Dogg
Shutterstock/TinseltownSnoop Dogg confessed that it was his first time voting while on the Real 92.3 radio show Big Boy's Neighborhood. "For many years, they had me brainwashed thinking that you couldn’t vote because you had a criminal record," the rapper said. "I didn't know that my record has been expunged, so now I can vote."
7 | Cobie Smulders
ShutterstockThe Canadian actor officially became a U.S. citizen on Sept. 15. Cobie Smulders celebrated with a lengthy Instagram caption celebrating her newfound right to vote in the states. "I have been living in the U.S. for 16 years now working and paying taxes, making little humans, creating a family and making this Country my home. But I have been unable to Vote," wrote Smulders. "I am excited to do so in this coming election in November. It is an opportunity that I will not waste and am grateful to have my Vote count when so many people who are working and living in this country as long or longer than I have are not able to."
8 | Yolanda Hadid
ShutterstockThe Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star and mother to the beautiful Hadid children voted for the first time this year. Bella Hadid posted photos of herself and Yolanda Hadid captioned, "Took my mama to vote for the first time today!!! She became an American citizen just recently and this year she was so determined to get out and vote." And for more RHOBH news, This Beloved Real Housewives Couple Is Splitting Up After 21 Years.
9 | Asante Blackk
ShutterstockThe 2020 election is the young actor's first presidential election that he is eligible to vote in. Ahead of the election, Asante Blackk told People, "I feel like Gen Z, my generation, is a very capable generation, you know? We see a lot more than people realize, and we are working to change a lot more than people realize. It's very important to us."
10 | Noah Centineo
ShutterstockThe 24-year-old heartthrob posted a picture with his "I voted" sticker on election day with the caption, "First timer over here." Earlier in the month, Centineo launched an immersive pop-up experience in Los Angeles to encourage young voters to hit the polls.
11 | Kiernan Shipka
Shutterstock"Voting is COOL," wrote actor Kiernan Shipka beneath a picture of her holding her first mail-in ballot.
12 | Mike Tyson
ShutterstockThis year, 54-year-old Mike Tyson was able to vote for the first time. "This election will be my 1st time voting," tweeted Tyson. "I never thought I could because of my felony record. I’m proud to finally vote."
13 | Kaia Gerber
ShutterstockThe young model voted in her first election this year. "I voted for the first time today and it felt really good," Kaia Gerber wrote on Instagram. "I’m so proud to be part of the election, because it’s become so clear how much power young people have to push this country towards progress—as long as we participate."
14 | Lola Consuelos
ShutterstockAnother young voter, the daughter of Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos, hit the polls. Ripa posted a photo to commemorate her daughter's first time voting.