Ryan Reynolds, Method Man, Shaquille O’Neal, and 7 Other Celebrities Who Voted for the First Time in the 2020 Presidential Election
The 2020 presidential election has been described as the most important one in American history. The political stakes reflected in the number of voters that showed up to polls, with well over 100 million Americans participating in the election. This included many first-time voters, including celebrities such as Ryan Reynolds, Method Man, and these few others.
Noah Centineo had never voted before 2020
Noah Centineo, 24, was old enough to vote in the 2016 race between President Donald Trump and Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton, but he didn’t for reasons that are unclear. However, he made sure to show up to the polls this time around, revealing on Instagram on Nov. 3 that he had voted.
Tyler, The Creator previously didn’t care about politics
Fans know Tyler, The Creator, 29, has never really been political. But with everything going on in the country, he felt compelled to make his voice heard.
“I didn’t give a f*ck about none of this sh*t, just like a lot of y’all,” he said on Twitter in September. “This is actually going to be my first time voting, but I see the light.”
Snoop Dogg just learned he could actually vote
Snoop Dogg did not participate in previous elections under the belief that he couldn’t vote due to his criminal record. However, the 49-year-old rapper now knows he actually can.
“For many years, they had me brainwashed thinking that you couldn’t vote because you had a criminal record,” he told Big Boy’s Neighborhood in June. “I didn’t know that. My record’s been expunged so now I can vote.
Kaia Gerber finally reached the age where she can participate in the U.S. election
Gerber was too young to participate in previous elections. Now 19, she made sure to get out in 2020. She explained on Instagram in October that she had voted because she doesn’t “want to grow up in a country that is going backwards.” She also noted in the caption that “it felt really good” and that she was “proud” of herself for doing her civic duty.
Selena Gomez didn’t understand the power of her vote
Like Centineo, Gomez also could have voted in the past. But she didn’t because she “never felt like [her] vote counts.”
“I just think some people get in their head, and they’re 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,” the 28-year-old said in an October interview with Loud Luxury.
Method Man really wanted to exercise his right to vote in 2020
Method Man hasn’t shared why he didn’t vote in previous elections, but he said on Instagram on Nov. 3 that he really wanted to do it in 2020. Captioning a photo showing him holding an “I Voted” sticker, the 49-year-old rapper wrote: “There’s a 1st time for everybody this is mine..
#vote #firsttimevoter it’s not a privilege it’s a right.. VOTE”
Shaquille O’Neal wanted to practice what he preaches
After getting involved in voting campaigns, O’Neal, 48, wanted to make sure he was also doing his duty. “You know I always like being honest on my podcast. I’ve never voted before, America,” he said on The Big Podcast with Shaq. “But now I’m doing all these voting campaigns, and you know one thing I never like to do is be a hypocrite.”
Ryan Reynolds wasn’t able to vote in previous elections due to his citizenship
Reynolds, who hails from Canada, was finally able to vote in the U.S. after receiving dual citizenship in 2018. He shared the news on Instagram in October, praising his wife Blake Lively for helping him through the process. “It was super scary at first, then exciting and now I’m a little tired. But proud,” said the 44-year-old.
Mike Tyson also had no idea he could vote
Just like Snoop Dogg, Tyson thought he was unable to vote because of his past. “This election will be my 1st time voting,” the 54-year-old boxer said on Twitter in September. “I never thought I could because of my felony record. I’m proud to finally vote.”
Kanye West wanted to vote for someone he could trust
We know that West, 43, hasn’t been super trusting of previous presidential candidates. But after entering the race himself, he apparently felt like there was no one better to vote for. “God is so good😊 Today I am voting for the first time in my life for the President of the United States, and it’s for someone I truly trust…me. 🇺🇸 🕊” he wrote on Twitter on Nov. 3.
The results of the 2020 race started pouring in on the evening of Nov. 3, but there’s a delay in the winner announcement due to voting changes. Stay tuned for the outcome.
