The “No Kings” movement, which began as a populist protest against the Trump administration, has now morphed into a get-out-the-vote movement ahead of the U.S. midterm elections on November 3.
On Saturday, October 17, “No Kings: Vote Early” is scheduled to take place, and more than 2,500 events are on the map in all 50 states. Organizers are preparing a range of events, from protests to neighborhood block parties and cookouts, with a focus on ensuring free and fair elections in November.
Marches, rallies, and voter fairs related to early voting are scheduled for several major U.S. cities, including San Francisco, Atlanta, Washington, D.C., New York, and Los Angeles. There will also be events in Boston, Philadelphia, and Austin. (See a full list of events here.)
The day is being organized by a broad coalition of nonprofits, educators, unions, and progressive political groups. These include the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), American Federation of Teachers, Black Voters Matter Fund, 50501, Indivisible, League of Women Voters, MoveOn, Public Citizen, State Voices, and Voto Latino. (A full list of partners is available here.)
“Early and record turnout is our best chance to ensure every vote is counted and election results are too big to rig,” Joel Payne, chief communications officer for MoveOn Civic Action, tells Fast Company.
Since the beginning of President Donald Trump’s second term, No Kings protests have drawn millions of people in large cities and small towns across America. The last protest, on March 28, was attended by an estimated 9 million people.
Now organizers are taking that message to the ballot box. Unlike previous protests, the coming event will include walks to polling stations, voter planning drives, and local election defense workshops.
“In order to protect our voting rights, the ACLU has identified dozens of scenarios for election interference and voter disenfranchisement across the country and prepared to respond immediately with legal action and community mobilization,” Deirdre Schifeling, the organization’s chief political and advocacy officer, tells Fast Company. “Together with our affiliates and partners, we have built a powerful network of organizers, community leaders, and tens of thousands of volunteers who are ready to navigate attacks on our elections and assist voters.”
“No one gets to scare us out of our vote, and on October 17th, we’re showing up, fiercely and fearlessly, to show the power of the American vote,” adds Beatriz Lopez, executive director of Voto Latino.
