ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - s4story -- Hundreds of Tampa Bay residents are invited to join No Kings: Vote Early, a voter engagement event on Saturday, Oct. 17, at Spa Beach Park at the St. Pete Pier.

Beginning at 10 a.m., participants will gather on the beach to form giant human letters spelling "VOTE EARLY," creating a dramatic aerial image and video to encourage eligible voters to plan to participate in the 2026 midterm election.

The St. Petersburg gathering is part of No Kings: Vote Early, a nationwide day of voter participation focused on helping eligible voters understand when, where, and how they can cast their ballots.

Community organizations will be on-site to provide information about early voting, vote-by-mail, and other voting options. Nonpartisan voter guides will also be available to help attendees learn more about the candidates and races on the ballot.

"We want to make sure people understand how important it is to participate in this election and know their options for voting early," said Kelly Harter, event organizer. "Midterm elections are historically ignored. We cannot afford to stay home anymore. When we surrender our vote, we surrender our power.  We want people to come out, get informed, and be part of this important community event. Everyone is welcome."

More on S For Story

• Hope Haven Publishing Releases Christian Dementia Activity Book for Seniors
• For National Novel Writing Month: Will this be the year that my Great Novel finally gets Published?
• Our Lady of the Artilects Author Andrew Gillsmith Featured in America Weekly on Catholic Storytelling and AI
• Resident Inspect Expands Virtual Property Inspections With AppFolio and Rentvine Integrations
• Unlocking the Next Phase of Growth with New AI Innovations; Targeting 2027 as Breakeven; Revenue Momentum Accelerates: ZenaTech (N A S D A Q: ZENA)

Early voting in Pinellas County begins Monday, Oct. 19, and continues through Sunday, Nov. 1, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

A Visual Call to Vote
Unlike a traditional march or rally, the Spa Beach event will center on creating the large-scale "VOTE EARLY" formation.

Participants will be assigned to individual letters and seated on the sand for approximately 30 minutes while aerial photographs and video are captured. Attendees are asked to wear dark blue or black shirts and hats and bring a dark beach towel, sunglasses, and water. Signs are discouraged because they could interfere with the aerial image.

Parking is available at the St. Pete Pier and in the surrounding areas, but it is limited. Carpooling and rideshare services are encouraged.

EVENT DETAILS
WHAT: No Kings: Vote Early
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, at 10 a.m.
WHERE: Spa Beach Park at the St. Pete Pier, 615 Second Ave. NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33711
VISUAL: Hundreds of participants forming the words "VOTE EARLY" on Spa Beach for aerial photography and video
ATTIRE: Dark blue or black shirts and hats; participants should bring a dark beach towel, sunglasses, and water.
AFTER PARTY: Attendees are encouraged to stay after the visual event to enjoy a beach day community picnic on the grassy area and beach. (BYOC - bring your own cooler.)

More on S For Story

• Dr. Marilyn Pendelton Releases The Grief Reset to Address Grief Beyond Death
• AeroNet Deploys netElastic vBNG and CGNAT with Tarana Wireless to Deliver Scalable, Fiber-Class Broadband Across Puerto Rico
• New Atlas Maps the 38 States Behind Every Conversation
• St. Petersburg Author Kimberly Van Kramer to Host Rooftop Book Signing at The Birchwood Hotel
• Atlanta Company Launches Free, Ad-Free, Nonpartisan Voter Planning App for All 50 States Ahead of the Nov. 3 Election

Participants should arrive by 10 a.m. to be organized into the human formation.

FOR REGISTRATION: Participants can register in advance through the No Kings event page on Mobilize:
https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/event/1026318/

The event is supported by the League of Women Voters of the St. Petersburg Area, Indivisible St. Pete, ACLU, Common Cause, Gulfport for democracy, Allendale United Methodist Church, UU St. Pete, and the National Organization for Women.

About No Kings: Vote Early
No Kings: Vote Early events are nonpartisan and are designed to increase participation from all eligible voters. A core principle behind all No Kings events is a commitment to nonviolent action. We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values and to act lawfully at these events. Weapons of any kind, including legally permitted ones, should not be brought to events. No Kings: Vote Early is a nationwide day of voter participation taking place on Oct. 17, 2026. Events are designed to help eligible voters understand their voting options and make a plan to participate in upcoming elections.