Presidential debate, Taylor Swift, Meta credited for surge in Colorado voter registrations

By BRIAN PORTER | Rocky Mountain Voice

A three-day period in September has led to a surge in voter registration, the office of Secretary of State Jena Griswold reports, and performer Taylor Swift may get to take some credit.

More than 21,000 either registered to vote in the state or updated their registration during the period, which began Sept. 10 with Swift’s endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris in advance of a televised debate that night between Harris and former President Donald Trump. It represents a 0.5% increase in voter registrations.

“Registering to vote is the first step to making your voice heard in our democracy,” Griswold said. “It is exciting to see Coloradans registering to vote and getting involved in advance of this November’s election. Every voter has a voice, and I’m proud to make sure that every Coloradan can be heard.”

Registered voters may choose to update a registration to select or unselect a party, or change their address.

Prior to Sept. 10, the secretary of state’s office reports an average of 1,604 voter registrations and updates each day in the month. On Sept. 10, the day Harris and Trump met in their first and likely only debate, there were nearly 4,500 voter registrations or updates, with most between 7-10 p.m. In the hour following Swift’s post on social media, 900 registered or updated their registration. Swift had encouraged her followers to visit vote.org.

The following day, on Sept. 11, another nearly 5,000 registered, and on Sept. 12 there were 12,000 registrations or updates. The surge on Sept. 12 could be attributed to Meta Platforms (Facebook) launching a voting registration banner on their social media.

The tried and true surge, though, is National Voter Registration Day, Sept. 17, when the secretary of state’s office realized 11,300 voter registrations or updates. In September, more than 60,000 have either registered or updated their registration in Colorado.

Register to vote or update your voter registration at GoVoteColorado.gov.