Michigan drag queens unite to help Grand Rapids ‘Slay the Vote’ ahead of Election Day

Drag queen Alex Suarez says the Oct. 26 event at the Pyramid Scheme will energize and mobilize voters, with the Nov. 3 election just days away.

Lucas Henkel

October 23, 2026

On Oct. 26, drag artists from across Michigan will gather at the Pyramid Scheme in Grand Rapids for Slay the Vote 2.0, a voter empowerment party and drag show, to get local voters excited about the Nov. 3 election. (Photos Courtesy of Mia Cole, Dia Elektra, Alex Suarez, Gabriella Stratton Galore, and Kanary)

Over 780,000 Michiganders have already returned their absentee ballots or voted early ahead of Michigan’s midterm election on Nov. 3. And while that number is being celebrated as a sign of civic engagement, some Michiganders say it could be a by-product of the frustration voters feel with their elected officials.

Alex Suarez, an event producer and drag queen living in Grand Rapids, said they’ve noticed that feelings towards the LGBTQ+ community have changed since the 2024 election.

“There is definitely a different feeling in the air this time around,” said Suarez, attributing this to the increasing number of Republican officials in Michigan and nationwide proposing legislation that restricts or outright blocks transgender youth from accessing gender-affirming care, amidst encouragement from the Trump administration.

Suarez says that this “temperature change” is exactly why they and other community members are coming together to host “Slay the Vote 2.0,” a drag show and voter empowerment party similar to an event they held in 2024 to encourage voters to show up and stand in solidarity ahead of Election Day.

“We’re doing what we can to get people together and be a morale booster,” Suarez said.

Suarez said the event is a collaborative effort between local community members, the Kent County Dems, and the event venue, the Pyramid Scheme in downtown Grand Rapids. The event, which is free and open to anyone of voting age, will give attendees a chance to meet with local candidates in Kent County and other city and state officials, as well as opportunities to register to vote if they haven’t already done so.

The show also includes drag performances from Suarez, fellow event organizer Gabriella Stratton Galore, Mia Cole, Dia Elektra, and Kanary.

“I think [Kanary] is the Gen Z aspect that was kind of missing from our cast before. We’re really trying to get that crowd excited to vote, and I’m really excited to see her perform,” Suarez said.

Slay the Vote 2.0 will be held from 6-9 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 26, at the Pyramid Scheme, located at 68 Commerce Ave SW in Grand Rapids. For more information, check out the event page on Facebook. To check your voter registration, see your ballot, or find your polling location, go to gandernewsroom.com/voter-registration.

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