'Glam Up the Midterms' event encourages young people, LGBTQ community to vote (2025)

When most people think about voter registrationevents, they don't picture something thrilling and exciting.Rather, they picture something boring and time consuming.

Well, celebrity Billy Eichner and the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) are here to change thatwith the Glam Up the Midterms nationwide event, which came to Tempe Improv on Saturday.

Eichner, of comedy game show "Billy on the Street," described the event as "the hottest, sexiest event of the year," on Jimmy Kimmel's show.

So how exactly does one make a register to vote event hot and sexy?

Eichner, who partnered with the HRC, is going to different states across the country to encourage people, especially ones under the age of 40 and/or in the LGBTQ+ community, to get out and cast their ballot.

The tour is "aimed at encouraging millions of “Equality Voters,”those voters who support LGBTQ-inclusive policies, nationwide to take advantage of early voting and make their voices heard this November," according to the HRC website.

Justin Unga, the Arizona state director for HRC, says it's crucial for people to come out and vote as it may be a matter of life or death.

"This is an election that determines whether or not there is a real check on the White House, which is why we are here doing this event," Unga said. "People of color, immigrants, the LGBTQ+ community, everyone needs their voices heard because they are the ones being targeted and they are in the fight of their lives right now."

Unga, who is an Arizonanative, says he has seen the state change in many ways.

"Particularly, in a place like Arizona, one of the most pivotal states in the country, races are decided by sometimes dozens of votes. This is why it is so important to the fate of America, to get out and vote," Unga said.

He stressedthat the fundamentals of human rights could be changed dramatically.

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"Whether or not you can go out and get a job without fear of being discriminated against, whether or not you can stay together with your family, whether or not your reproductive rights will stay maintained, all of these things will be decided for you if you don't exercise your right to vote," said Unga.

'We can make a different in this election'

This stop in Phoenixis one of three. The other upcoming stops are in Las Vegas, Nevadaand Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Chad Griffin, president of the HRC, says he is incredibly excited to see the amount of voters who have been turning out across the country.

"We are working to engage votersacross the state of Arizona and across thecountry. Take your friends and family to the polls. Tell them why it's so important to vote for pro-equality candidates," said Griffin.

According to Glam Up the Midterm's page on Headcount.org, only 12 percentof young people voted during the last midterm election.

"So to see an increase in turnout already is something that seems promising and a step forward for the country," Griffin said."The LGBTQ+ voting block in Arizona is more than 200,000voters. We can make the difference in this election, here in this election. Turn out in force."

It seemed as if people were already starting to take his word, as tables at the event began quickly filling up with eager voters, who were all trying to make a difference in their lives.

Loud applause welcomed Eichner and all the other speakers, as they spent hours discussing voting registration and motivating people to spread the word.

"If you stay home and let someone else vote, they're making choices for you on the most important elements of your life," Unga said."Whether or not we move forward or backward is 100 percentdependent on if we can make our voices heard."

Voter registration: How do I register?

The deadlines to register to vote are found at:www.vote.org/voter-registration-deadlines.

If you can't register online, registerin person by filling out a form at the country recorder's office in the county where you live.

Need more help? Call1-877-THE-VOTE (1-877-843-8683)for assistance.

Unsure if your voter registration is active and up-to-date with your correct address andparty preference?Visit thesecretary of state's websiteto verify your information.

To be eligible to vote, you must be a U.S. citizen, reside inthe county listed on your registration and be 18 years of age on or before Nov. 6.

For more information on the event, visit:www.headcount.org/glamup2018.

READ MORE:

• 6 charts show mood of Arizona voters ahead of midterms
• How to register to vote in Arizona's November election — don't get left out