Lizzo’s New Hair Transformation Makes an Important Statement

@lizzobeeating, Instagram

Lizzo is using her latest hair masterpiece to encourage fans and followers to get out there and vote this week ahead of Election Day, November 3rd. In an October 27th Instagram post, Lizzo rocked a hairdo that spelled out "40%"—the percentage of Americans who did not vote in the 2016 election.

"THIS IS A HUGE DEAL," Lizzo began in the all-caps caption of her post. "40% OF AMERICANS DID NOT VOTE IN 2016! HOW CAN THIS COUNTRY BE 100% THAT BITCH IF WE’RE MISSING 40% OF OUR ELIGIBLE VOTERS?!?"

She then gave followers a text code (LIZZOBEVOTING) to text to 26797 to ensure they are registered to vote in their state. The same code can be used to confirm polling locations and receive reminders to vote in all upcoming elections.

"Do not be a part of this 40%," Lizzo said in a followup Instagram video. "Go to the polls and take your protest to the ballot box."

In fact, Lizzo is actually low-balling that estimate. According to the United States Elections Project, about 138 million Americans voted in the 2016 Presidential Election, which seems like a good number. But in actuality, that 138 million only made up 58.1% of the voting-eligible population, leaving more than 40% of Americans out of the equation.

USA Today reported earlier today, October 29th, that more than 78 million Americans have already voted by mail-in and early voting—that's 20 million more early votes cast than in 2016, as CNN notes. And noting the high participation numbers of the 2018 midterm elections (in which 50% of eligible voters submitted a ballot, up from 36.7% in the 2014 midterms), experts say the 2020 election could have a record-breaking voter turnout.

Though numbers are showing that the 40% Lizzo is fearful of will most likely shrink to a lesser percentage, the dream is that the percentage of eligible voters who sit out an election will eventually become nonexistent.

Though that's a long shot, if we all partake in our civic duty, we can lessen that 40% and improve our chances of securing a better future for ourselves and generations to come.