October 17, 2026 - No Kings: Vote Early - Largest American Vote Activation!

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A series of No Kings protests, also known as No Kings: Vote Early,[1][2] were held on October 17, 2026, as part of a series of demonstrations taking place largely in the United States against Donald Trump's policies and actions during his second presidency. It was the fourth wave of No Kings protests after those that occurred in June 2025, October 2025, and March 2026. One of the announced goals of the demonstrations was to encourage early voting in the US midterm general election.
. . .
Related demonstrations had been planned on the same day in the United Kingdom and Europe, using the alternative name No Tyrants: Vote Early to avoid confusion with anti-monarchic movements in countries with constitutional monarchies.

I made a conscious decision to publish this blog post today, election day, Tuesday, November 3, 2026. This blog post contains my photos from the three locations of the No Kings: Vote Early protests I attended on Saturday, October 17, 2026. The reason I chose today is that the purpose of the protests was to get Americans to submit their ballots early (before today) for candidates who are more progressive. These protests occurred in all 50 states and in Europe.

At the time I was writing this blog post, I read: "Early Voting Surged 51% in Communities Hosting No Kings Events!" I also read that early in-person voting in Ohio is four times higher than in the 2022 midterms. I am hopeful that the results today will be favorable by electing candidates who will bring positive change. We need new leaders who will work to stop the felon in the White House!

New analysis from TargetSmart shows us that early voting increased by 51% in ZIP codes that hosted No Kings events, compared to the equivalent Saturday of the 2022 midterms.

On October 17, we turned people power into voter power in the largest single-day early vote activation in American history.

In this No Kings: Vote Early blog post, I first list all the confirmed Northeast Ohio protest locations, and then share my photos/videos from the three protests that I attended.

Northeast Ohio Locations for Saturday, October 17, 2026

Here is the list of Northeast Ohio No Kings: Vote Early locations I found on the NoKings.org website. (I previously shared them in my October 16, 2026, Bluesky social media posts.)

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I see that listed on the NoKings.org website: 

NO KINGS: CUYAHOGA EAST/CHAGRIN GATEWAY
Sat, Oct 17
10:00 AM — 12:00 PM EDT
Lander Circle at Lander Rd. and Chagrin Blvd.
Cleveland, OH 44124
https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/event/1032300/?utm_source=indivisible

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NO KINGS: VOTE EARLY, STAND UP LORAIN COUNTY, NORTH RIDGEVILLE, OHIO
Sat, Oct 17
10:00 AM — 12:00 PM EDT
https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/event/1045907/?utm_source=indivisible

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NO KINGS: VOTE EARLY , MENTOR , OHIO
Sat, Oct 17
11:00 AM — 1:00 PM EDT
Along the sidewalks in front of the Great Lakes Mall
Mentor, OH 44060
RSVP
https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/event/1033112/?utm_source=indivisible

NO KINGS: VOTE EARLY FOR DEMOCRACY MENTOR, OHIO 44060
Sat, Oct 17
11:00 AM — 1:00 PM EDT
Along the sidewalk in front of the Great Lakes Mall.
Mentor, OH 44060

https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/event/1035338/?utm_source=indivisible

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NO KINGS: VOTE EARLY, LYNDHURST, #Ohio
Sat, Oct 17
11:00 AM — 1:00 PM EDT
https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/event/1039932/?utm_source=indivisible

====
I see that listed on the NoKings.org website: 

NO KINGS: VOTE EARLY ASHTABULA COUNTY
Sat, Oct 17
12:00 PM — 2:00 PM EDT
Smith Field Dog Park
Ashtabula, OH 44004
https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/event/1063294/?utm_source=indivisible

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NO KINGS: VOTE EARLY MOUNT PLEASANT CLEVELAND OHIO
Sat, Oct 17
12:00 PM — 4:00 PM EDT
This event’s address is private. Sign up for more details
Cleveland, OH 44120

https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/event/1050156/?utm_source=indivisible

====
I see that listed on the NoKings.org website: 

NO KINGS: VOTE EARLY WARD 15, KAMM'S CORNER, CLEVELAND, OHIO
Sat, Oct 17
1:00 PM — 3:00 PM EDT
Kamms Corner
Cleveland, OH 44111
https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/event/1060380/?utm_source=indivisible

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NO KINGS: VOTE EARLY — LORAIN, OH
Sat, Oct 17
1:00 PM — 5:00 PM EDT
This event’s address is private. Sign up for more details
Lorain, OH 44052
https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/event/1049874/?utm_source=indivisible

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NO KINGS: VOTE EARLY 17100 VAN AKEN BLVD, SHAKER HEIGHTS, OH
Sat, Oct 17
1:00 PM — 3:00 PM EDT
Greenbriar Apartments
Shaker Heights, OH 44120

https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/event/1048758/?utm_source=indivisible

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NO KINGS: VOTE EARLY COLLINGWOOD, CLEVELAND , OH
Sat, Oct 17
2:00 PM — 4:00 PM EDT
Greater Bethel A.M.E. Church
Cleveland, OH 44110

https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/event/1057694/?utm_source=indivisible

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NO KINGS: VOTE EARLY WARD 8, CLEVELAND, OHIO
Sat, Oct 17
2:00 PM — 6:00 PM EDT
Masjid Bilal
Cleveland, OH 44103
https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/event/1054242/?utm_source=indivisible

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NO KINGS: VOTE EARLY PARMA/CLEVELAND WEST SUBURBS "THE EARLY BIRD GETS THE VOTE"
Sat, Oct 17
2:00 PM — 5:00 PM EDT
The Shoppes at Parma
Parma, OH 44129

https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/event/1057628/?utm_source=indivisible

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Saturday, October 17, 2026 - No Kings: Vote Early at Cuyahoga East/Chagrin Gateway/Pepper Pike, Ohio!
- Hosted by Chagrin Gateway Democrats

I am starting my day at: 
#NoKings #Vote Early Day at Cuyahoga East/Chagrin Gateway/Pepper Pike, #Ohio!

https://bsky.app/profile/sosassociates.com/post/3my3azwwgjk2b

 NoKings.org
 
Saturday, Oct 17, 2026
Lander Circle at Lander Rd. and Chagrin Blvd., 30550 Pinetree Rd, #Cleveland, #Ohio 44124

https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/event/1032300/

cc: The Chagrin Gateway Democrats 

https://bsky.app/profile/sosassociates.com/post/3my3csqdyjc2b
      

I arrived early at my first of three NoKings Vote: Early locations:

I recommend viewing videos in full screen mode.
Please pause the video to look more closely at the wording of the protest signs in the slides!! I strongly believe these messages are important and should be shared with others.

(Music is the ending part of Frank Turner's The Sand In The Gears. "On 10 February 2017, Turner released a new song entitled 'The Sand in the Gears', a political song that seemingly refers to the election of Donald Trump as the President of the United States.")

Saturday, October 17, 2026 - No Kings: Vote Early for Democracy Great Lakes Mall, Mentor, Ohio!
- Hosted by Ohio District 14 Partners

Julie Smith and I attended the #NoKings #Vote Early Day event at Great Lakes Mall, Mentor #Ohio! 

https://bsky.app/profile/sosassociates.com/post/3my3g3lzv7s2b

 NoKings.org 
 
Saturday, Oct 17, 2026

https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/event/1033112/ 

https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/event/1035338/ 

cc:	Ohio District 14 Partners 
	District 14 Voice 
	Indivisible NEO 
	Indivisible Guide 
	Burning River Brigade
      

My wife and co-blogger, Julie, and I attended the protest near Great Lakes Mall. It was a very large crowd.

It was great to see Burning River Brigade's large banners displayed at this protest. I highly recommend learning about their good work at: https://linktr.ee/BurningRiverBrigade

I recommend viewing videos in full screen mode.
Please pause the video to look more closely at the wording of the protest signs in the slides!! I strongly believe these messages are important and should be shared with others.

(Music is the ending part of Frank Turner's The Sand In The Gears. "On 10 February 2017, Turner released a new song entitled 'The Sand in the Gears', a political song that seemingly refers to the election of Donald Trump as the President of the United States.")

Here is a Burning River Brigade YouTube video from the Mentor protest, which shows the large crowd:

Saturday, October 17, 2026 - No Kings: Vote Early at Parma/Cleveland West Suburbs, Ohio. "The Early Bird Gets the Vote"

My photos from today’s #NoKings #Vote Early Day at Parma/ #Cleveland West Suburbs, #Ohio 
"The Early Bird Gets the #Vote"

https://bsky.app/profile/sosassociates.com/post/3my3pslgdus2p

 NoKings.org 
 
Saturday, Oct 17, 2026
The Shoppes at Parma
8253 W Ridgewood Dr
Parma, OH 44129

https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/event/1057628/

https://bsky.app/profile/sosassociates.com/post/3my3xs4a5ok2b
    

I ended my day in Parma, which had a large crowd.

I recommend viewing videos in full screen mode.
Please pause the video to look more closely at the wording of the protest signs in the slides!! I strongly believe these messages are important and should be shared with others.

(Music is the ending part of Frank Turner's The Sand In The Gears. "On 10 February 2017, Turner released a new song entitled 'The Sand in the Gears', a political song that seemingly refers to the election of Donald Trump as the President of the United States.")

What's Next After 10/17's No Kings? Election Defense

Here is the Indivisible video I watched after the protest. The video ends with asking everyone to go to the No Kings website -- NoKings.org -- to take the No Kings Election Defense Pledge.

TAKE THE PLEDGE
NO KINGS:
ELECTION DEFENSE

No Kings: Vote Early on October 17 was a powerful start, but there’s more work to do.

We must ensure that every valid vote is counted, certified, and protected.

The No Kings movement stands ready to mobilize in response to attacks on our elections. By signing the No Kings pledge, you commit to be part of the solution, ready to join mass nonviolent action in rapid response to election disruption and subversion if needed.

Sign the pledge now to host or attend an event in your community if a national rapid response mobilization is called.

Related Blog Posts

I always like to include in my blog posts a list of related posts that may be of interest to my readers, so here are three that are tagged as "Protest," since they include photos from local protests:

• Blog Date: April 8, 2026 - Largest Protest in United States History: No Kings Day 3

  After attending the largest peaceful protest in the history of the United States -- the Saturday, March 28, 2026, No Kings Day 3 -- I thought it was important to create this blog post for two reasons:
  
  First, and most importantly, to thank both the national and local organizers that made this historic event happen!
  
  Secondly, to honor the millions of participants by sharing my photos/videos and those of others from the big day.
  
  I have mentioned in this blog post some of the organizations that hosted protests. My purpose is to honor everyone who is making a difference, . . .

• Blog Date: May 1, 2017 - March For Science Cleveland on Earth Day 2017

  You can read in this blog post how I joined faculty members and graduate students from Case Western Reserve to volunteer at the 2017 March For Science Cleveland. Looking at this blog post now, nine years later, is frustrating. Despite the successful large turnout at this 2017 protest, we are still, in 2026, having the felon in the White House and his supporters working to further weaken support for science and the environment.

  Earth Day 2017 was different -- out of some very negative things happening in our country, a very positive movement to take action grew! We mean, of course, the national March for Science (@ScienceMarchDC) in Washington D.C.!
  
  The same day that it was announced that the national March for Science would be held on Earth Day, April 22, 2017, we learned to our delight that there would also be a March for Science in Cleveland (@ScienceMarchCLE)!
  
  . . .
  
  April 22, 2017 -- Earth Day 2017 -- The BIG Day!
  
  The night before the big day, Stuart felt nervous, which is very unusual for him. We attend many events throughout the year, but to us the March for Science Cleveland was different. It represented something more important, since it was not just a mere activity, but instead represented a positive force to push against the anti-science and anti-truth direction in which our country leadership is taking us. The March for Science Cleveland organizers anticipated about 3,000 people participating in the march. We were excited at the prospect of a large crowd, but we were concerned that others might not join us in supporting something we believed in so strongly.
  
  3,000 - Yes to ≈10,000!!!!
  
  Say no to our irrational fears of others not caring, and yes to ≈10,000 marchers! The good people of Northeast Ohio came out in force! Congratulations to the March for Science Cleveland for this grand success!

• Blog Date: March 19, 2025 - Artist-In-Residence Sylvia Munodawafa - University Circle New Community Room - Euclid Beach Park Grand Carousel

  After volunteering at the 2017 March for Science Cleveland, I found myself joining Case Western Reserve University science students at a protest again in 2025. "On Friday, March 7, 2025, I was in University Circle attending the Stand Up for Science 2025 Rally at Case Western Reserve University."

  [Photo caption] Friday, March 7, 2025 - Cleveland Stand Up For Science 2025 poster with photos of some of the attendees. It was great that so many people gathered at Case Western Reserve University to support scientific research! Currently, this life-saving research is being threatened!

A very important related blog post is the one I wrote about attending the Disinformation Panel Discussion at the University Of Akron's Institute for Human Science and Culture. As a country, we got to our current situation because of a large number of Americans believing the disinformation/misinformation coming from the felon in the White House and his supporters. If you want to learn more, please watch the full, hour-long video in the blog post: Panel Discussion: Misinformation Society

• Blog Date: October 7, 2024 - Disinformation Panel Discussion - Human Science Institute - Psychology Museum

  When Stuart saw the announcement on social media for the Institute for Human Science and Culture's Misinformation Society panel discussion on October 2, 2024, he knew that it was important to attend. The topic is of immediate importance as we are in an election cycle that has included a historic level of misinformation and disinformation.
  . . .
  Please watch this video and think about what we can do to not be influenced by disinformation. We also think that it is very important to consider how all of us can work together to help others not be affected by disinformation.

The success of the Saturday, October 17, 2026, No Kings: Vote Early protests will be determined by how many people vote on this election day, but this is not the end point! Much more needs to be done to put pressure on our current government to make our country better. I invite you to be involved by joining the work done by the No Kings partner organizations: NoKings.org/Partners

Thank you for reading my blog post. You can learn about my travel journeys with my wife and co-blogger, Julie, and the venues we explore in Cleveland and Akron at: sosAssociates.com/Blog