The room where it happens is in Ybor City on Friday.
That’s when Tampa’s young voters get a musical oriented lesson ahead of the midterms, which wrap on Tuesday, Nov. 3 (early voting is happening now).
Lin-Manuel Miranda’s award-winning Broadway musical “Hamilton” opens this week at the Straz Center, but some of its touring cast members have partnered with the Florida Student Power Alliance (FSPA), a youth-led political activism group, to review ballot items for this November’s election.
The Room Where it Happens: Youth Ballot Review features an open-mic portion with music and spoken-word poetry, along with a conversation with cast members from the national tour.
The purpose of the event is to educate young voters, by bringing cultural storytelling from off the stage and to empower the next generation of leaders, according to information from the event website.
“This initiative centers student voices, demystifies the civic process, and equips young Floridians with the tools needed to organize, advocate, and build community power,” organizers wrote on social media.
There is no-cover for The Room Where it Happens: Youth Ballot Review at 7th and Grove, Oct. 23, 5 p.m.-8 p.m.
Early voting in Hillsborough and Pinellas County runs Oct. 19-Nov. 1.
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This article appears in Oct. 15 – 21, 2026.
