Published On 17 Oct 2026
Organizations within the No Kings coalition, which opposes U.S. President Donald Trump, conducted rallies across various cities and communities nationwide on Saturday, focusing on encouraging early participation in the upcoming midterm elections.
The No Kings network has arranged over 3,000 events throughout the country. Titled “No Kings: Vote Early,” these gatherings were market as nonpartisan initiatives, yet they build on nearly two years of protests and demonstrations sparked by discontent with Trump’s presidency.
“This is a day dedicated to nonpartisan voter engagement: we are uniting our community to plan early voting and ensuring all eligible voters understand their options to participate,” organizers stated in a release.
By promoting early voting, the group aims to reduce potential irregularities during the election process.
In Washington, D.C., a band performed for what appeared to be hundreds of attendees at the Lincoln Memorial, despite cold conditions. The crowd danced energetically, displaying signs reading “VOTE EARLY” and “HANDS OFF MY VOTE!”
During an Atlanta event, City Councilman Michael Julian Bond urged the audience to encourage others to vote before the November 3 general election.
“The Constitution grants you one power: the power to vote. Will you wield it?” Bond asked the crowd.
“You don’t see Superman surrendering his powers. You don’t see Black Panther giving up his strength. You don’t see Wonder Woman relinquishing her magic lasso. Why would you abandon your right, your power, your duty to vote? Be a hero—use your power and cast your ballot,” he continued.
Trump has repeatedly expressed skepticism about mail-in ballots, alleging without evidence that electoral fraud cost him the 2020 election.
On Thursday, his administration filed a lawsuit against California election officials, seeking a court order to prevent the state from counting mail-in ballots from individuals flagged by federal authorities as “likely” noncitizens until their immigration status is verified.
Friday, the Department of Justice warned local officials processing or tabulating ballots from suspected noncitizen voters could face criminal investigations and prosecution.
Earlier that day, Democratic Senators Alex Padilla (CA), Sheldon Whitehouse (RI), and Dick Durbin (IL) sent a letter to Attorney General Todd Blanche, urging the Justice Department to refrain from seizing ballots or election materials before midterm certification.