No Kings Voters Face Federal Ballot Pressure

No Kings rallies across the United States urged people to vote early in the midterm elections as the Trump administration pursued a lawsuit over mail-in ballots and warned local election officials they could face criminal investigations. Hundreds of events took place Saturday, billed as nonpartisan and organized by a network that opposes President Donald Trump.

The administration’s actions have put ballot counting and the officials who do it at the center of the election dispute. On Thursday, the administration sued California election officials, asking a judge to bar the state from counting midterm mail-in ballots from people the federal government has identified as “likely” noncitizens until officials confirm their immigration status.

Ballot access and federal power

On Friday, the Justice Department warned that local officials who process and tabulate ballots submitted by suspected noncitizen voters risk criminal investigation and potential prosecution. The warning came before the midterms and addressed officials responsible for processing ballots, extending possible criminal exposure to the work of counting votes.

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 that the Justice Department commit not to seize ballots or other election materials before the midterm elections are certified. Their letter focused on how the federal government handles election materials before certification.

Trump has long been suspicious of mail voting. He has claimed without evidence that voting fraud cost him the 2020 presidential election. His administration’s California lawsuit now asks a judge to restrict the counting of a category of mail-in ballots while officials check immigration status.

Rallies urge early voting

The No Kings network organized events in cities and communities across the country. Organizers billed hundreds of planned rallies as nonpartisan and sought to build on nearly two years’ worth of No Kings marches and demonstrations by people upset with Trump’s presidency.

At the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, a band played for what appeared to be a few hundred people wearing caps and coats. It was chilly. Many danced anyway. Signs at the event included “VOTE EARLY” and “HANDS OFF MY VOTE!”

In Atlanta, City Councilman Michael Julian Bond urged the crowd to encourage others to vote before the Nov. 3 general election. He described voting as both a constitutional power and an obligation.

“The Constitution gives you one power, right? That is the power to vote. Are you gonna use that power?” Bond said. He continued with references to fictional superheroes: “You don't see Superman giving up his power. 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.”

The rallies’ stated aim was early voting. The federal actions described by the administration concern mail-in ballots, election officials who process and tabulate them, and whether officials may count ballots from people identified as likely noncitizens before confirming their immigration status. The senators’ letter asks the Justice Department to rule out seizing ballots or other election materials before certification.