COLUMBUS – For generations, beauty salons and barbershops have served as special places in neighborhoods of color – as much a social hub as they are an economic engine.
They are places not only to get hair care services but sanctuaries where neighbors can discuss politics and the issues of importance in the community.
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose launched Styling for Democracy. Now Vote! – a partnership with barbershops and salons and the schools that feed into them. The partnership is designed to encourage members of their community to sign up to be a poll worker on Nov. 3, register their family and friends to vote, and educate the community on requesting and completing absentee ballots.
“Barbershop, beauty salons – these are the centers of the communities in neighborhoods all throughout Ohio,” LaRose said. “If people are going to gather at a barbershop and have a political conversation, the next step is getting registered to vote; and if you really want to take it to the next level, sign up to be a poll worker so that your neighbors can have a free and fair election.”
So far, LaRose’s team has partnered with 25 barber colleges and salon schools. Resources will be sent to the 110 barber and salon schools across the state. Barbershops and salons looking to partner with LaRose may contact Zack Reed at [email protected].
