Chance the Rapper leads thousands of voters to polls in Chicago

On the eve of Election Day, Chance the Rapper led thousands of millennial voters to the polls for early voting in Chicago, leading to record turnouts.

Gerren Keith Gaynor

Nov 8, 2016

On the eve of Election Day, Chance the Rapper led thousands of millennial voters to the polls for early voting in Chicago, leading to record turnouts.

The Chicago native performed at a free concert in Grant Park before he mobilized young voters for a “Parade to the Polls,” an initiative geared towards getting African-American and Latino voters to keep the state of Illinois blue in favor of Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. Protesters shouted “F**k Donald Trump” as they marched to to cast their ballots against Republican nominee Donald Trump.

Another clip from tonight’s #paradetothepolls w/ @chancetherapper bringing thousands out to cast their vote. pic.twitter.com/9UNrYmzcSF

— Alexis Wainwright (@AlexisW_Reports) November 8, 2016

Chance the Rapper had partnered with community activists and the NAACP for its #StayWokeAndVote campaign. “This is a nonpartisan event but I want you to bring all that energy [to the polls],” he told the crowd.

This year, Chicago’s early voter turnout hit a record high, with a reported 350,000 voters who either mailed in their ballots or cast them in-person. Chance was sure to share on social media that he wasn’t just talking the talk, tweeting “I voted,” along with a photo of his wristband confirmation that he indeed cast his ballot.