"No Kings" Foot Soldiers Ignore Organizers' Warning, Go All Democrats

"King No" organizers are promoting "Vote Blue" and other party slogans that their National Coalition rules expressly forbid from Saturday's marches.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — As high-profile organizers of the "No Kings" rally look to turn their operation into a nationwide get-out-the-vote rally on Saturday, their warnings to steer clear of messages from a party that could violate its own rules are falling on deaf ears.

The partisan nature of the day's events is important because political experts say Operation No Kings demonstrates a sophisticated electoral strategy: turning the crowds that gathered for anti-Trump protests into a viable voting block that turns out and creates a "blue tsunami" of votes in political battles. But federal election law prohibits nonprofits, many of which fund Operation No Kings, from endorsing certain candidates.

The organizers of No King provide a list of "event bans" for their voter event on October 17, 2025. (no king)

A review of digital ads for Saturday's "No Kings: Vote Early" rally and their organizing rhetoric identifies multiple instances of organizers promoting the same language that the coalition's national rulebook prohibits in an effort to create the illusion of non-partisanship.

In Newark, D.C., a local chapter of Indivisible is encouraging citizens to make signs to promote "blue" Democratic victories. (indivisible)

In Newark, Delaware, Democratic activists from the local chapter of Indivisible are encouraging voters to "wear blue" until 2 p.m. rally at the corner of S. College St. and W. Main St., and their "sign ideas" included: "Vote Blue. Nov. 3," "Vote Soon, Vote Blue" and "Time for a Blue Tsunami."

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Their announcement reads: "💙 Wear blue to signal the blue tsunami we hope to see in November!"

About 3,000 miles away, in Roseburg, Ore., Indivisible Douglas County activists are promoting their "No Kings" march with signs reading "DOUGLAS COUNTY VOTES BLUE!", "Republicans Had Their Chance!" and "Vote soon. Vote them out!"

"Be bold. Be direct. Don't hold back," Oregon organizers tell participants.

This is exactly the kind of partisan political messaging that the National Coalition Without Kings has expressly banned.

Undivided Douglas County, Ore., cheers for "blue" victories. (indivisible)

In a webinar Thursday night promoting the protests, a member of Indivisible Colorado Springs told Indivisible co-founders Leah Greenberg and Ezra Levin that the group's event was trying to get media attention without focusing on President Donald Trump.

"By all means, make it about Trump. Make it all about Trump. Create some conflict. Use strong language. There's nothing about No Kings that says you can't focus on the fascists in the White House," Levin replied.

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No Kings organizers provide a list of "do's" and "don'ts" for their voter event on October 17, 2025. (no king)

Under "Event Prohibitions," a "tool host" warns, "Events must not be partisan in nature or refer to preferred election results." The "candidate campaign activity" law prohibits "any political party or political committee from participating in or helping to coordinate the event."

The "prohibited events" list prohibits events at "overtly partisan organizations, or at campaign offices, political party headquarters, or other locations primarily associated with candidate or party political activities." These prohibitions clearly state: "Events shall not be co-branded with party organizations" and are provided as "Example: Democratic Clubs, 'Lincoln County Democratic Party.'

The Placer County Democratic Party promotes its "No Kings" event. (Democratic Party of Placer County)

In Roseville, California, however, the Placer County California Democratic Party is outspoken in its outreach to No Kings voters, promoting a canvassing operation specifically tied to Saturday's No Kings rally at the Roseville Gallery.

The party's website invites activists to attend a morning meeting in Harry Crabb Park, and said voters will gather at the rally. In the gallery and hopeful materials to help attendees "support our endorsed candidates."

On their Democratic Party website, local party activists describe the "No Kings" rally as "a day of nonpartisan voter engagement."

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The Women's March promotes their "No Kings" event on October 17, 2026 in Springfield, PA. (Women's March)

The ad raises questions about the relationship between a Democratic campaign and an event whose national organizers expressly prohibit political parties, political committees and candidate campaigns from coordinating activities.

In Springfield, Pa., an event listed on the Women's March organizing platform is promoting a one-hour "No Kings FOUR" demonstration at 1200 Baltimore Pike. The event calls for voter participation and, in another direct contrast to the National Coalition's ban on "Vote Blue" appeals, also proclaims: "Vote Blue. Vote. Make your voice count."

The coalition's own documents leave little ambiguity about its official standards.

In the five-page "Talking Points + Messaging" guide, organizers instruct attendees not to use partisan political language, including telling attendees to "vote Democrats and get them down the ballot" or saying, "We can elect a Democratic Congress in 2026 to resist Trump."

The guidelines state that it prohibits any "speech for or against any candidate for office."

Prohibits candidate campaign activities, including campaign literature, fundraising and coordination with campaign staff. Political parties and political committees are also prohibited from helping to coordinate events.

The guidelines go beyond the usual warnings against endorsements.

Organizers specifically ban references to "MAGA politicians" and calls for the election of a Democratic congressman. Even encouraging participants to register as Democrats before midterm elections is expressly prohibited.

Another document called "Banning Events + Notables" specifically bans "Vote For Them" and "Blue Vote" messages, fundraising and coordination of political parties.

The Kingstowne, Va., chapter of Indivisible is promoting its Oct. 17, 2026, "No Kings" event and urging voters to "vote them out." (indivisible)

However, in Kingstowne, Virginia, Indivisible of Franconia is promoting its Oct. 17 march on South Van Doren Street and Kingstowne Village Parkway with the statement: "We vote for leaders who represent our interests — and if they don't, we must vote them out."

The coalition also bans events hosted or sponsored by overtly partisan organizations, including Democratic clubs.

Its "Election Law FAQ" and "Resources" go further, warning that simply describing an event as "non-partisan" does not mean it meets the standards.

"Saying this is not automatically the case," the document states.