Thousands Rally Across US in 'No Kings' Movement Urging Early Midterm Voting

In Pictures: Protesters gathered for a 'No Kings' rally on Saturday, October 17, 2026, in New York [Madison Swart/AP]. Rallies organized by the No Kings network, opposing United States President Donald Trump, took place on Saturday in cities and communities across the US. The primary aim was to encourage early voting in the midterm elections. The No Kings network has more than 3,000 events planned nationwide. These events, this time branded “No Kings: Vote Early”, were presented as nonpartisan. However, they aimed to build upon nearly two years of No Kings marches and demonstrations by individuals dissatisfied with Trump’s presidency. Organizers stated, “It’s a day of nonpartisan voter participation: we are bringing our community together to make a plan to vote early and ensuring every eligible voter understands their options for how to vote and has the opportunity to make their voice heard.” By advocating for early voting, the “No Kings” organizers hope to prevent potential malfeasance on election day. In Washington, DC, a band entertained several hundred attendees at the Lincoln Memorial, many of whom danced despite the chilly weather. Signs reading “VOTE EARLY” and “HANDS OFF MY VOTE!” were prominently displayed. At a rally in Atlanta, City Councilman Michael Julian Bond urged the crowd to encourage others to vote before the November 3 general election. Bond implored the audience, asking, “The Constitution gives you one power, right? That is the power to vote. Are you gonna use that power?” He likened voting to the powers of superheroes, stating, “You don’t see Superman giving up his power. You don’t see Black Panther giving up his power. You don’t see Wonder Woman giving up her magic lasso. So why would you give up your right, your power, your obligation to vote? Be a superhero, use your power. Go to the polls and vote.” President Trump has expressed long-standing suspicion regarding mail-in voting and has asserted, without evidence, that voting fraud influenced the outcome of the 2020 presidential election. His administration filed a lawsuit against California election officials on Thursday, seeking a court order to prevent the state from counting mail-in ballots for the midterm elections from individuals identified by the federal government as “likely” noncitizens until their immigration status is confirmed. On Friday, the Department of Justice issued a warning that local officials processing and tabulating ballots from suspected noncitizen voters risk criminal investigation and potential prosecution. Earlier that day, Democratic Senators Alex Padilla of California, Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, and Dick Durbin of Illinois sent a letter to Attorney General Todd Blanche, demanding the Justice Department commit to not seizing ballots or other election materials before the midterm elections are certified. Demonstrators rally at the Lincoln Memorial during a