No Kings Events Across Wisconsin Push to Get Out the Vote

Protesters hold signs at James Madison Park as cars pass by Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, during a No Kings protest in Madison, Wis. Angela Major/WPR

Hundreds of people turned out for a No Kings protest in Madison Saturday afternoon, the crowd marching from the Wisconsin State Capitol to the city municipal building.

The event was one of dozens around the state as part of a nationwide “day of action.” It was the latest of a series of No Kings protests held over the last two years in opposition to actions by the Trump Administration.

Saturday’s event was focused on encouraging people to vote early for the upcoming midterm elections.

Information on early voting and the upcoming midterm election is shared during the Vote Early Fair on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, outside the Madison Municipal building in Madison, Wis. Angela Major/WPR

The Forward Marching Band performs protest songs as a No Kings protest begins Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, at James Madison Park in Madison, Wis. Angela Major/WPR

Angie Dickens of Madison was at the protest. She said she was motivated by “just a deep, deep concern about the state of our country and our democracy. And also understanding that historically, we need people to be speaking out and doing wherever we can to fight against what is happening right now.”

Dickens said she is “hopeful but nervous” about the upcoming election, saying she wants to see a shift in Congress.

“We really need to get more congressional oversight,” she said. “Our government is (designed to have) checks and balances in place and we need that to be happening.”

In Wisconsin, the high-stakes Nov. 3 election could radically shift the balance of power in state government. Polling shows Republican Congressman Tom Tiffany and Democratic Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley are in a tight race for the governor’s office, with Democratic Gov. Tony Evers stepping down after two terms.

Protesters who oppose President Trump make their way to the Wisconsin State Capitol on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, during a No Kings protest in Madison, Wis. Angela Major/WPR

Protesters hold signs in support of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, during a No Kings protest in Madison, Wis. Angela Major/WPR

In the state Legislature, new legislative maps put in place two years ago through a bipartisan agreement are more competitive, giving Democrats a chance of picking up seats and breaking Republican control of the state house.

All eight U.S. House of Representative seats in Wisconsin are up election in November, but only two of those races are believed to be competitive.

No Kings protesters march near the Wisconsin State Capitol to encourage people to vote early and to elect Democrats in the upcoming midterm election Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, in Madison, Wis. Angela Major/WPR

No Kings events around Wisconsin work to get out the vote was originally published by Wisconsin Public Radio.