No Kings Rallies Across U.S. Encourage Early Voting Ahead of Midterms/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ No Kings rallies across the United States encouraged people to vote early ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections. Organizers billed the events as nonpartisan while building on demonstrations opposing President Donald Trump. The rallies came amid disputes over mail ballots and Justice Department actions involving suspected noncitizen voters.
Quick Look
- Nationwide events: Hundreds of rallies were planned in cities and communities Saturday.
- Early-voting focus: Organizers urged participants to turn out before Election Day.
- Washington gathering: A few hundred people appeared to gather at the Lincoln Memorial.
- Atlanta appeal: Councilman Michael Julian Bond encouraged attendees to exercise their voting power.
- California lawsuit: The administration sought to block counting certain ballots pending citizenship verification.
- Senators’ concerns: Three Democratic senators requested assurances against seizures of ballots and election materials.
Deep Look
No Kings Rallies Shift Attention to Early Voting
Rallies organized by the No Kings network were taking place across the United States Saturday, encouraging people to cast ballots early in the midterm elections.
Hundreds of events were planned nationwide. Organizers described them as nonpartisan, although the network has spent nearly two years organizing marches and demonstrations opposing President Donald Trump.
The gatherings sought to channel that participation into voting ahead of the Nov. 3 general election.
Demonstrators Gather at Lincoln Memorial
At Washington’s Lincoln Memorial, a band performed for what appeared to be a few hundred people dressed in coats and caps against the chilly weather.
Many participants danced while others held signs reading “VOTE EARLY” and “HANDS OFF MY VOTE!”
The gathering combined entertainment with calls for election participation.
Atlanta Councilman Urges Crowd to Use Its Voting Power
At an Atlanta rally, City Councilman Michael Julian Bond asked attendees to encourage others to vote before Election Day.
“The constitution gives you one power, right? That is the power to vote. Are you gonna use that power?” he asked.
“You don’t see Superman giving up his power,” Bond continued. “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 super hero, use your power. Go to the polls and vote.”
Rallies Come Amid California Mail-Ballot Dispute
The events took place against a backdrop of disputes over election administration.
Trump has repeatedly expressed suspicion of mail voting and claimed without evidence that fraud caused his defeat in the 2020 presidential election.
On Thursday, his administration sued California election officials, asking a judge to prevent the state from counting midterm mail ballots from people the federal government identified as “likely” noncitizens until their status could be confirmed.
That designation does not itself establish that the individuals are ineligible voters.
On Friday, the Justice Department warned that local officials processing and counting ballots from suspected noncitizens could face criminal investigation and potential prosecution.
Democratic Senators Seek Assurances on Election Materials
Earlier Friday, Democratic Sens. Alex Padilla of California, Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island and Dick Durbin of Illinois wrote to Attorney General Todd Blanche.
They demanded a commitment that the Justice Department would not seize ballots or other election materials before certification of the midterm results.
Their request added to the concerns surrounding federal involvement in election administration as voting proceeded.
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