Full Breakdown
No Kings rallies pivot to early-voting drive ahead of midterms
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event – Nationwide “No Kings: Vote Early” actions
On Saturday, dozens of coordinated gatherings took place in cities ranging from Washington, D.C., to Brainerd, Minnesota; Chicago, Illinois; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and San Diego, California. Organizers deployed inflatable donkeys, paper-mâché replicas of former President Donald Trump’s head, and “Vote Early” signage to draw attention to early-voting options. Events varied from street marches to neighborhood block parties, each prohibiting political endorsements and candidate speeches. The goal was to inform voters about registration, ballot-drop locations, and the benefits of casting ballots before Election Day.
Background & Context
The No Kings movement began as a series of nationwide protests against Trump-administration policies after his second inauguration in January 2025. Early rallies featured overt criticism of the president and his agenda. According to co-founder Ezra Levin of Indivisible, the first three “No Kings” demonstrations were designed to “send a message.” The coalition now includes hundreds of partner groups such as the ACLU, Black Voters Matter, and local Indivisible chapters.
Data & Statistics
- Attendance estimates ranged from about 425 participants in Brainerd to roughly 2,000 in Chicago-area suburbs and “thousands” in Washington, D.C.
- More than 8 million ballots had been cast nationally by the time of the Saturday actions, according to reporting from the San Diego area.
- In Texas, organizers prepared 500 goody bags containing QR codes linking to voting resources.
- Early-voting sites were highlighted in each community, with some locales offering over a dozen drop boxes and voter-information tables.
Official Statements & Responses
Ezra Levin linked the current push to the failed SAVE America Act, which would have required proof of citizenship at registration, and to concerns about federal immigration officers at the polls. Laura Usher of Indivisible Route One Corridor framed the effort as converting “people power” into “voter power.”
The White House, through spokesperson Lauren Bis, said the “No Kings” organizers “should change their name” and framed the election as a clear choice between Trump’s policies and “extreme Democrats.” Republican Party of Wisconsin spokesperson Anika Rickard called the rallies “lies” and promoted the party’s agenda on tax relief and public safety.
Criticism & Opposition
Republican officials in Wisconsin and the White House dismissed the rallies as partisan attacks. Rickard’s statement accused the events of spreading misinformation, while Bis suggested the movement’s focus on voting was a tactical rebranding rather than a genuine civic effort.
On-the-Ground Reports
Participants described personal motivations ranging from youthful frustration to civic duty. Sixteen-year-old Celia Zanni said she was “too young to vote” but wanted her voice heard. Athena Haresign, a horse trainer from Maryland, attended her first midterm election wearing a donkey costume that read “Donkeys against Tyranny.” In Frisco, Texas, Cammy Dunford distributed goody bags with QR codes before early voting began. In Brainerd, volunteer co-lead Hallie Pond declared, “We will not be silent in the face of injustice.” In San Diego, retired real-estate agent Ann Ravitch cast her ballot at a drop box and cited the Constitution as her guide.
What’s Next
Early-voting periods continue through the latter part of the month, with the final ballot-submission deadline the day before the midterm election. Organizers plan to maintain voter-information tables, poll-watcher training, and community outreach as the election approaches, emphasizing that “voting early is one of the things people can do to protect their vote.”