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As we tumble down the rabbit hole that is modern dating, it seems that potential soulmates are now more interested in each other’s political stances than their taste in pizza. In a world where swiping right could mean swiping left on democracy, dating apps are pivoting faster than politicians on debate night, all in the name of compatibility—or maybe just extra user engagement.
In an effort to awaken the political passions of the lovelorn, Tinder recently rolled out its “Take Action Center.” This initiative encourages users to flaunt their voting statuses like they’re showing off their latest travel selfies. With stickers touting things like “Hot people vote (I’m voting)” and “Voting for reproductive rights,” it feels more like a campaign rally than a casual date, but who knew the romance business could be so…electoral?
Speaking of sticking to your guns, abortion rights are making a dramatic guest appearance on ballots in 10 states next month, continuing to be the political hot potato no one seems to know how to handle.
“We are really committed to protecting reproductive freedom because we believe this really impacts dating and relationships,” declared Stephanie Danzi, Tinder’s SVP of global marketing, which is either the most romantic or the most terrifying way to frame dating nowadays. Talk about mixing business with pleasure!
Clearly, Tinder thinks dating and voting go together like peanut butter and jelly. Now, OkCupid has decided to join the political matchmaking parade, introducing a delightful dozen of new questions aimed at discovering just how mismatched your views could be right off the bat. “Are you voting in the 2024 presidential election?” and “Is it a deal breaker if your date is voting for a different candidate than you?” have replaced the charming icebreaker of “What’s your favorite movie?” I mean, let’s get real—what’s more entertaining than a first date turning into a political debate?
These changes, it turns out, stem from a revolutionary insight that people like to talk about politics. Shocking, I know. But Michael Kaye from OkCupid assures us that it’s crucial not to push buttons that might leave folks splintering even further apart than they already are. Because if there’s one thing that can unite us all, it’s our mutual disdain for arguing at the dinner table.
Meanwhile, before you start picturing a dystopian future where love is dictated by political compatibility scores, let’s talk stats. According to Pew Research, registered voters are roughly split between two major parties, but buyers on OkCupid seem to lean more liberal—though a surprising 44% choose “other” when asked about their political beliefs. Personally, I’d say it’s all part of a clever strategy to avoid awkward conversations and potential catfights during date night.
And if sitting through political discussions over dinner isn’t your thing, perhaps the right-wing dating app, The Right Stuff, will be more your speed. This app was designed for conservatives and features icebreakers that would make your high school debate coach proud, like, “Favorite liberal lie?” and “January 6 was…” (fill in the blank). Nothing says ‘romance’ like a healthy dose of political banter, right?
Raquel Debono, the app’s marketing maven, insists political concerns are important for daters, especially as the election creeps closer, making it all the more crucial that we live in a society where political alignment dictates our romantic fates. On a scale of “swipe left” to “I’ll bring my mom to meet you,” political mismatches may soon become the ultimate deal-breaker.
So, as we close the lid on another day in the wild world of dating, let’s reflect: in a time where politics color everything from our friendships to our snacks, what’s next? Will sushi dates become strictly pro-choice or pro-fish? Will future proposals include questions about one’s climate change stance? At this rate, anything is possible. Welcome to the absurdity of modern love—just don’t forget to bring your voter registration card!
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