(NewsNation) — Vice President Kamala Harris spent Sunday, which was her 60th birthday, at two Atlanta area church services promoting her “Souls to the Polls” initiative. She called the 2024 election a choice between a divided nation or one that chooses joy and freedom.
“In this moment, across our nation, what we do see are some who try to deepen division among us, spread hate, sow fear and cause chaos,” Harris told the congregation at New Birth Church Missionary Baptist Church in Stonecrest, Georgia. “The true measure of the strength of a leader is based on who you lift up,” she added.
Later, at a service at Divine Faith Ministries International in Jonesboro, Harris was joined by Stevie Wonder, who led the congregation in singing “Happy Birthday” to Harris.
When he was done, she appeared to choke up, saying, “I love you so much.” Wonder grinned and said “don’t cry” before telling the crowd how important it was for people to get out and vote.
“We’re going to make the difference between yesterday and tomorrow,” he said.
Harris told both congregations how important it is to get fellow church members to the polls. Some supporters even encouraged people to go straight from church to an early voting venue.
As of Sunday, more than 1.3 million people in Georgia had voted early, either in person or by mail. That represents about 16% of the state’s registered voters.
The Associated Press contributed to this report