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.
I voted #paradetothepolls pic.twitter.com/gS8qvgDlXA
— Lil Chano From 79th (@chancetherapper) November 8, 2016