Why Global Citizens Should Care: 
The United Nations wants to ensure that everyone has the right to vote in order to ensure equal and fair democracies around the world. Join Global Citizen in taking action here, and don't miss the digital premiere of Every Vote Counts: A Celebration of Democracy on Friday, Oct. 30, at 9 p.m. ET. 

As celebrities prepared Thursday night for the broadcast premiere of Every Vote Counts: A Celebration of Democracy on CBS, they shared the importance of voting and what voting means to them through a live Q&A on Twitter. 

After calling for questions using the hashtag #AskEveryVoteCounts, hosts Alicia Keys, America Ferrera, and Kerry Washington took to social media to show their excitement for the event, and joined Jennifer Lopez, Common, Eva Longoria, Wilmer Valderrama, Tan France, and Global Citizen to talk about early voting, why using your voice is important, and how to take action during — and after — the nonpartisan event.

Keys moderated the Q&A and kicked off the chat by getting everyone excited for the Every Vote Counts premiere.

Keys then posed a Twitter user's question about whether it was too late to mail in their ballot, and threw it to Global Citizen to answer.

Voting is an essential part of a democracy where citizens have the opportunity to make their voices heard. Even amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Americans are still exercising their rights to cast their ballots in the upcoming presidential election. 

With Election Day quickly approaching, our partner HeadCount recommends that voters drop their ballots off in person as post offices are reporting severe delays. You can find out where to job your ballot off using HeadCount’s resources here. If you're an out-state or absentee voter, HeadCount recommends getting your ballot in the mail as soon as possible and to express ship it. 

Another question for the hosts and artists was, “Why is voting so important to you?” 

One commenter asked why this year’s election feels so different from years in the past. One reason is that due to social distancing regulations, voters might see longer lines at polling locations than in previous years. 

Concerns about COVID-19 also caused an unprecedented number of voters to vote by mail, which means that it will take longer to count all of the votes. Unlike previous years, a clear winner might not be declared on Nov. 3. 

Voting advocates and experts are encouraging media outlets to refrain from prematurely announcing a winner on election night before the results are clear to ensure that every vote is counted — and everyday Global Citizens can pledge to be patient, too.

Global Citizen, in partnership with HeadCount, has been mobilizing young voters across the country as part of the Just Vote campaign. Together, we've encouraged citizens to check their voter registration status, worked with companies and nonprofits to give their employees time off to vote, urged media outlets not to announce the winner of the election prematurely with Count Every Vote's National Council on Election Integrity, and more.

Every Vote Counts: A Celebration of Democracy uses music, dance, art, and dialogue to celebrate that in a democracy, our vote is our voice.

If you missed the broadcast premiere, don't worry — you can still catch the digital premiere Friday, Oct. 30, at 9 p.m. ET on Apple Music, Apple TV App, Facebook, NowThis, TIDAL, Twitter, and YouTube.

Find more details about how to tune and take action here.

TopicsAlicia KeysCBSKerry WashingtonEvery Vote CountsJust Vote2020 Presidential ElectionAmerica Ferrera

Editorial

Demand Equity

'Every Vote Counts' Hosts and Artists Answered Your Voting Questions With a Fun Twitter Chat

By Sophie Partridge-Hicks