NAMI St. Louis is proud to be a community partner for several nonpartisan Civic Holidays, nationwide days of action that encourage people to participate in our democracy. These celebrations help individuals get informed, make a voting plan, support election workers, and engage in their communities.
Civic Holidays are nonpartisan days of action that strengthen and celebrate our country’s democracy! They bring together a wide range of organizations and communities in pursuit of an America where everyone participates and votes. Thousands of local, state, and national partners have helped millions of voters cast their ballots through fun and creative civic holiday celebrations hosted around the country every year.
Upcoming Civic Holidays:
- National Voter Education Week | October 5-9, 2026: Voters should have the information they need to cast their ballots with confidence. During this week, voters are encouraged to learn about their ballot, find their polling place, understand their voting options, and make a plan to vote.
- Election Hero Day | October 20, 2026: Election Hero Day celebrates the election administrators, poll workers, clerks, and volunteers who help ensure elections are secure, accessible, and successful for all voters.
- Vote Early Day | October 24, 2026: Vote Early Day encourages voters to make a plan and take advantage of early voting opportunities. Voting early can help avoid unexpected scheduling conflicts, long lines, and other barriers that may prevent someone from casting their ballot.
Learn more:
Registering to vote is one of the simplest ways to participate in your community and make your voice heard.
Whether you're registering for the first time or have recently moved, now is a great time to ensure you're ready for future elections. Missouri voters can register online and find important information about voting requirements, deadlines, and upcoming elections.
Resources:
Already registered? It is still important to make sure your voter information is current.
You may need to update your registration if you have:
- Moved to a new address
- Changed your name
- Changed your mailing address
- Not voted in several election cycles
Checking your registration status before an election can help prevent unexpected issues when it is time to vote.
Resources:
NAMI St. Louis invites you to take the #Vote4MentalHealth Pledge. Started by NAMI National in 2018, this nonpartisan campaign encourages people to learn how their vote impacts mental health services, supports, and policies in their communities.
The campaign is rooted in the idea that the decisions made by elected leaders affect access to mental health care, crisis services, housing supports, insurance coverage, and other resources that people with mental health conditions rely on every day.
Mental health is a community issue that touches individuals, families, schools, workplaces, and health care systems. The leaders we elect at the local, state, and federal levels make decisions about:
- Mental health funding
- Access to treatment and support services
- Crisis response programs
- Insurance coverage
- Housing and recovery supports
- Workforce development and provider shortages
By voting and staying informed, you can help ensure mental health remains part of the public conversation.
When you take the #Vote4MentalHealth Pledge, you'll receive information and resources to help you:
- Learn about voting in your state
- Make a plan to vote
- Understand how public policy impacts mental health
- Stay informed on issues affecting people with mental health conditions
- Encourage others to participate in the democratic process
Whether you're voting for the first time or are a lifelong voter, your voice can help shape the future of mental health care and support in our communities.
Self-Care During Elections Season
While we make mental health a priority at the ballot box, we also need to make mental health a priority for ourselves. Election season can be stressful: the constant news updates and push notifications, difficult conversations with friends and family members, negative ads featured anywhere you are and everywhere you go. That’s why it’s so important to find ways that work for you to practice self-care and navigate the election-related stress this year.
Media outlets with partisan views tend to have more sensationalized coverage, overemphasizing the bad things another candidate may or may not do. Follow trusted news sources like the Associated Press or NPR, where the news will be reported in a balanced and factual way.
While it’s important to stay informed, consider turning off push notifications for breaking news. Instead, consider intentionally visiting a news website or subscribe to daily newsletters. But also allow yourself to take a break from the news when you need.
Avoid “doomscrolling” — scrolling through social media and news feeds, where there’s always something new and negative to be found. Consider limiting your time on social media platforms or in news apps, or keeping your phone in a different room while you sleep.
Do things that make you feel connected to your values like volunteering your time or visiting your place of worship, or activities that help you feel a sense of flow, like learning a new skill, creating art, exercising, making music, or solving puzzles.
Recognize what specifically is causing your heightened stress or emotions and find what you need to feel better.
You are not alone in feeling stressed or overwhelmed ahead of the elections. If you feel comfortable, talk with friends, family or professionals for support. Be kind to yourself.
