No Kings shifts to boosting voter turnout for midterms in NYC, nationwide

Rebecca White and Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News on Oct 17, 2026

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NEW YORK — No Kings, the grassroots movement that has repeatedly taken to the streets to protest President Donald Trump, shifted their tactics Saturday, with events across the country aiming to increase voter turnout for the midterm elections.

The coalition will hold thousands of “No Kings: Vote Early” events nationwide, including at least 13 across the five boroughs. Instead of one main march, the day will focus on rallies.

“We are taking the next step, turning people power into voter power,” the group said in a statement on its website.“Unlike previous No Kings actions, No Kings: Vote Early is not purely a protest. Instead… 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.”

More than 200 people gathered on the steps of the historic James A. Farley Post Office building on Eighth Avenue near 33rd Street on Saturday afternoon, holding signs that read, “Vote your power,” “Postal workers are election heroes” and “Trump lies all the time,” among others.

“Early voting in NYC starts Oct. 24. What’s your plan?” was written in chalk on the sidewalk.

Longtime NYC activist Jay W. Walker, speaking into a loudspeaker, told the crowd, “What we are doing here is defending the Constitution. We the people defend the Constitution.”

“We’re just 17 days before the midterm elections,” said Karin Schall, 64.

Schall said they’re reminding people they can vote early in NYC.

Pittsburgh resident Mark Banister, who held a sign reading, “Defeat MAGA,” said he was in the city and decided to join in on the rally.

“There are a whole lot of mad people,” Banister, 71, said. “There are a whole lot of people that want change. And there are a whole lot of people that want the things Trump is doing to stop.”

“Today’s thing,” he said, “is to make sure that everyone votes on Election Day.”

TC Collum, a student at Fordham University in the Bronx, said he is voting by mail in his home state of Arizona — a swing state.

“This is my first time voting, and I am voting early,” Collum, 18, said.

“It’s really important to get the message out. It’s a really important and strong reminder that our vote is our voice,” he added of the rally.

Rev. Al Sharpton was expected to speak at an event in Washington Square Park.

The movement’s name, No Kings, references its rejection of Trump’s perceived authoritarian policies.

Their first protest on June 14, 2025, coinciding with Trump’s 79th birthday and a military parade in Washington, drew more than 50,000 people to the streets in NYC despite rainy weather.

The coalition held nationwide rallies again in October 2025 and in March 2026 with growing numbers of participants.