Spotify tweeted out a short video Tuesday featuring President Obama encouraging listeners of the streaming-music service to get out and vote.
“Artists discussed #Election2016 issues with #Clarify, now @POTUS wants your voice to be heard. Get out & vote today!” the company tweeted, directing followers to the website https://headcount.org/spotify. A 24-second video featuring Mr. Obama was attached to tweet.
According to its website, “HeadCount provides voter registration assistance on a strictly nonpartisan basis to any U.S. citizen age 18 or over without regard to political affiliation, race, religion, or age” and “does not endorse, support or coordinate with any political party or candidates for elected office, or take positions on any ballot initiatives.”
“Hey! It’s President Barack Obama,” the 44th president’s message began. “I’m here to remind you that today is Election Day. Millions of Americans are voting, and you should be one of them. Go to HeadCount.org/Spotify to find voter information. Thanks for being a voter, and enjoy your music.”
The president also recorded a similar encouragement vote, which has played on Spotify when users select the Top Hits playlist.
“Before you get to this week’s top hits in music, I want to remind you of something else going on this week,” Mr. Obama said. “Tuesday is Election Day, and on that day, the voice that matters most is yours. Millions of Americans are heading to the polls. Don’t miss your chance to be one of them,” he added, before plugging HeadCount.org and thanking Spotify users for listening.
Mr. Obama is showing up also in a decidedly more partisan capacity elsewhere on Spotify, via paid advertising.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is running a banner ad at the top of the service’s web player Tuesday morning showing a smiling Mr. Obama and reading, “Today is Election Day. Press Pause. Vote for Democrats.”
Clicking on the ad takes the user to the DCCC-run website iwillvote.com, and a page asking for the home address of the visitor. Entering your home address gives you your assigning polling location and the hours that it is open Tuesday for voting.
• Ken Shepherd can be reached at kshepherd@washingtontimes.com.
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