Last August, Angelina Jolie was criticized for not choosing a presidential candidate to support. Roseanne Barr tore her a new one for not supporting Barack Obama and ripped in to Angelina’s father Jon Voight for supporting John McCain.

This month, Angelina indicated her support may be leaning toward Obama but she still isn’t committed. However, Brad Pitt was seen bicycling around New Orleans with a notebook with Obama’s picture on it.

Why is this important? Will knowing who Angelina or Roseanne or even Heidi Montag is voting for sway my vote? Not in the slightest. In fact, stars are often criticized when they do speak out on political issues.

For those who do care who the stars are voting for, the November issue of Glamour asks three actresses who they’re voting for and why.

Glamour points out that 40 percent of single women didn’t vote in the last presidential election. If a star doesn’t influence how people vote, hopefully it will influence people to actually cast a vote. I live in Florida, home of the infamous hanging chads, so I know the importance one vote can make.

Kerry Washington, star of Ray and Lakeview Terrace is voting for Barack Obama.

I know how necessary and important change has been in our nation’s history. His leadership throughout his career has illuminated his conviction that change happens from the bottom up — not the top down. He believes in the power of the American people and is willing to work within both a grassroots and global framework to ensure that our democracy represents ‘we the people’ — every single one of us. I believe, as does he, that we must start to act like a ‘United’ States, committed to providing all Americans with equal access to health care, housing, education, economic stability and environmental health.

[From Glamour, print edition, November 2008]

Angie Harmon, star of Women’s Murder Club and Law & Order, is voting for John McCain.

In my opinion this election is not Democrat versus Republican or black versus white. It is simply between a man that is experienced and qualified to run this country and a man that is not.

[From Glamour, print edition, November 2008]

Gwyneth Paltrow, star of Iron Man and Shakespeare in Love, is also voting for Barack Obama.

It is crucial that we elect a president who will make women’s health a priority. For his entire career, Barack Obama has stood up for women in this way. John McCain has not. McCain has voted against requiring insurance to cover birth control, and he’s opposed funding for education about emergency contraception (EC). McCain has voted against what is best for women’s health 125 times! This year I’ll be voting for a champion of women’s health care, and a champion for my daughter’s future.

[From Glamour, print edition, November 2008]

Hollywood is predominantly liberal, but it interesting to see what the stars feel is important in a candidate, from health care to international relations. It’s also a relief to see stars’ comments with correct punctuation and capitalization, unlike the celebrities like Roseanne who blog. However, at the end of the day, stars are here to entertain, not lecture, so now that Gwyneth has had her say, it’s time for her to get back to making Iron Man 2.