As we approach the upcoming election, many celebrities have publicly showcased their support for particular candidates and urged their fans to vote for what they believe is the more favorable party. Well known celebrities like Taylor Swift, Elon Musk, Anne Hathaway and Paula Deen have come out and stated their support for either Donald Trump or Kamala Harris. While celebrity endorsements for products or companies are extremely influential, fans shouldn’t let celebrities sway their vote. Instead, fans should consider some very important factors before ultimately casting their vote in November.

Although many endorsements come from personal belief, it is not unheard of for high-profile celebrities to receive financial compensation for supporting particular candidates. It is not illegal for politicians to pay a celebrity for an endorsement, provided that the information be disclosed to the Federal Election Commission; However, while this information must be reported, it does not have to be shared directly to the people, and it can be challenging to find specific details on said payments in public records. Many celebrities’ lives are vastly different from yours and political issues directly affecting common people may not apply to them. For example, a celebrity who makes millions of dollars a year might not be concerned with issues revolving around health care or affordable housing. If their motivation for voting for a candidate is based on how much money or media praise they receive for their endorsement, it’s important to ask yourself if you want to support them and vote for whichever candidate they are advocating for. A better way to cast your vote is to remain as unbiased as possible, look into the policies of the candidate and decide for yourself if you believe that they could bring change that will benefit your life and others.

Another concern about celebrity endorsements is their overall credibility. Consider this: If you had to buy a car, and someone without any experience was trying to sell you one, would you buy it immediately before checking with a more reputable source that could sell you a car in good faith?  If your answer is no, ask yourself how that scenario differs from a celebrity, without any political experience, trying to “sell you” on a particular candidate. If someone’s occupation is completely unrelated to politics, they cannot rightfully encourage voters to vote for a specific candidate. Just like how it would be more beneficial to go to a mechanic or car salesman, it is more beneficial to look at informed political activists or policy experts before casting a vote that could alter our country for the next four years.

On top of that, using critical thinking skills should be highly encouraged for everyone voting in the upcoming election. Recently, Chappell Roan was under fire for saying that voters should use their critical thinking skills instead of listening to celebrity endorsements, but her statement is correct. By analyzing the available facts and information presented by both candidates, voters can make an informed decision when at the voting polls. When using your own moral compass and best judgment based on the facts presented to you, you can be confident that you are casting a vote that is in line with your values and what you truly believe is best for the country. By implementing these skills, you are voting based on principles of self-advocacy instead of echoing the opinions and beliefs of your favorite celebrities.