No Kings rallies were held across the United States on Saturday as organisers urged voters to cast their ballots early ahead of the midterm elections, turning opposition to President Donald Trump into a nationwide mobilisation effort.
Hundreds of events were planned in cities and communities including Washington DC, New York and Atlanta. Although billed as non-partisan, the gatherings drew on nearly two years of demonstrations by Americans opposed to Mr Trump’s presidency. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/02d78e3dc4f1f75f8f8a5c327ba79008))
At the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, a band played to a crowd of several hundred people in coats and caps despite chilly conditions. Supporters danced and held signs reading “VOTE EARLY” and “HANDS OFF MY VOTE!” before marching across Memorial Bridge.
The No Kings organisation described 17 October as a nationwide day of action focused on voter participation, with events intended to help eligible voters check registration details, understand their voting options and make a plan to cast their ballot. It also said the gatherings were intended to be lawful, non-violent and open to voters regardless of party affiliation. ([nokings.org](https://www.nokings.org/))
In New York, the VoteFest event at Washington Square Park combined music, community activities and canvassing. Organisers said volunteers were helping with voter education, registration, turnout planning and election-protection efforts, while encouraging residents to take part in the midterms. ([queenssaysnokings.com](https://queenssaysnokings.com/votefest/))
Atlanta staged several events on the first Saturday of early voting in Georgia. Activities included voter outreach at an early-voting location, where participants were given election materials and some voters cast their ballots. ([ajc.com](https://www.ajc.com/gallery/news/2026/10/photos-at-no-kings-rally-in-atlanta-black-voters-are-urged-to-vote-early/))
Speaking at an Atlanta rally, City Councilman Michael Julian Bond urged people to encourage friends and relatives to vote before the general election on 3 November.
“The Constitution gives you one power, right? That is the power to vote. Are you gonna use that power?” he said.
Mr Bond compared the right to vote with the powers of comic-book superheroes, telling the crowd: “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.”
The campaign comes as Mr Trump continues to question the use of mail voting and repeat the unsubstantiated claim that fraud cost him the 2020 presidential election. His administration has sued California election officials over mail ballots from people identified by the federal government as potentially non-citizens, while the Justice Department has warned local officials they could face criminal investigations if they process ballots submitted by suspected non-citizens. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/02d78e3dc4f1f75f8f8a5c327ba79008))
Democratic senators Alex Padilla, Sheldon Whitehouse and Dick Durbin have separately asked Attorney General Todd Blanche to pledge that the Justice Department will not seize ballots or election materials before the midterm results are certified.
