On the day of the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election, we’re highlighting some fictional characters who would be lining up at the polls right now.
Here at Hypable, we want you to vote. But why listen to us? We’re all here to celebrate fiction and fandom, so let’s let our favorite characters speak for us.
Why your fictional faves would vote in the 2016 Presidential Election
Alex Parrish – ‘Quantico’
Despite her tumultuous history with government agencies, Alex loves her country and would want to ensure her voice was heard. She’s always had a gift for influencing those around her, so you know her fellow NATs, Farm recruits and coworkers would be casting their votes right alongside her. —Kendra Cleary
Daenerys Targaryen – ‘Game of Thrones’
Sure, voting isn’t really a thing in Westeros. And sure, Daenerys is REALLY into the whole “Queen of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men,” inherited-title situation. But at her heart, Dany is a woman of the people. She speaks to the downtrodden and caucuses with slaves. She cares about popular opinion, using the most rudimentary forms of democracy to inspire the enslaved of Meereen to overthrow their masters. If anyone in the world of Westeros and Essos is likely to promote a proto-democratic system, it’s Daenerys Targaryen. And maybe she’ll even give you a lift to the polls on her dragon. —Michal Schick
Harry Potter – ‘Harry Potter’
This Gryffindor knows that he needs to contribute to society — whether he wants to or not — for the greater good. Harry would be hitting the phone banks, using his fame in noble ways: Letting people know who they need to vote for, and why. The Boy Who Lived defeated the greatest villain of his lifetime, so he takes nothing for granted, including the simple yet important act of voting. —Andrew Sims
Hermione Granger – ‘Harry Potter’
Yes, the smartest witch of her age and current Minister for Magic (#keepthese– oh, never mind) knows the true value of exercising your right to participate in your country’s democracy. Hermione knows better than most that true evil is possible if those in power stand by and do nothing — and who put those people in power? That’s right, we did. Hermione would make sure we made the smart choice. —Selina Wilken
James Gordon – ‘Gotham’
If there’s one thing that Gordon hates, it’s corruption. He’s all about justice for everyone and wants to make sure that the citizens are always getting what they need. That’s why you can count on Gordon to vote on election day, and he’ll be protect everyone else’s right to vote too! —Sonya Field
Clarke Griffin – ‘The 100’
While the residents of the Ground are facing a very different threat right now, The 100‘s resident justice warrior Clarke Griffin would most certainly vote in the U.S. Presidential Election of 2016 if she knew it would help stop the oncoming apocalypse. —Selina Wilken
Raven Reyes – ‘The 100’
If you think for a second that Raven literal-superhero Reyes would let anything stop her from voting in this election, you would be wrong. (I got a feeling that she, Abby and Marcus would manning the polling stations.) —Selina Wilken
Laura Roslin – ‘Battlestar Galactica’
Laura Roslin may have toyed with the idea of rigging the election in her favor, but her sense of righteousness and justice let out (even if it had disastrous results… and there’s a parallel if you ever needed one). Being the last vestige of social order and justice that the human race had left, Laura — whether she was the President or not — always wanted the best for her people. —Selina Wilken
Leia Organa – ‘Star Wars’
If an election could have stopped Darth Vader, don’t you think Princess Leia would have gone on the intergalactic campaign trail? Search your feelings, you know it to be true. —Selina Wilken
Spencer Hastings – ‘Pretty Little Liars’
Not even “A” could keep Spencer away from the polling station on Election Day. She’s currently forging a career in politics and even helped her mom get elected as Senator, so if anyone has a respect for democracy, it’s her. She’d even find a way to cast an absentee ballot from the dollhouse, if she had to! —Kendra Cleary
Phil Coulson – ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’
Phil Coulson is so patriotic, he came back from the dead just so he could vote. (And, you know, star in a TV show.) As Captain America’s biggest fanboy, this consummate agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. has dedicated his life to democracy. S.H.I.E.L.D. may operate from the shadows, but there’s no question that Coulson will fight to defend every American’s right to perform their civic duty loudly and proudly — human and Inhuman alike. —Michal Schick
Peggy Carter – ‘Agent Carter’
In a parallel universe, Peggy Carter would be running for President. But in lieu of this wonderful fantasy, you can bet your ass she’d be voting — and fighting tooth and nail for your right to vote, too. Don’t waste it. —Selina Wilken
Katniss Everdeen – ‘The Hunger Games’
Katniss knows what it’s like to deal with dictators, and how they can take control of the country. She would sure as heck be the first person in line to vote in this year’s election. Count people like Peeta, Gale, and Prim (RIP) as having this line of thinking too. —Andrew Sims
Leslie Knope – ‘Parks and Recreation’
Leslie would not only go out and vote — she’d man the polling stations, supply snacks to those waiting in line, and march up and down the streets with a megaphone telling everyone to exercise their right to take part in one of the most important decisions the country has ever had to face. —Selina Wilken