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All photos by Iko Knyphausen
Hundreds gathered in Lake Forest Park on Saturday, October 17, for a No Kings rally emphasizing voter participation ahead of the November 3 general election.
Held at the intersection of Bothell Way NE and Ballinger Way NE, the rally drew Lake Forest Park residents and participants from Shoreline and Seattle. Lake Forest Park for Peace and Lake Forest Park for Justice co-hosted the gathering.
Unlike demonstrations focused primarily on protesting government policies, Saturday’s national mobilization carried the theme “No Kings: Vote Early,” with organizers seeking to translate public participation into increased voter turnout.
Local rally emphasizes the power of the ballot
Lake Forest Park Mayor Tom French addressed the crowd, emphasizing the importance of voting early and protecting constitutional rights. He also encouraged attendees to check on elderly neighbors and others who might need assistance getting their ballots to a drop box.
Chief Zanella and another officer look onThe League of Women Voters was on hand to answer voting questions and assist with voter registration.
The rally featured music, signs, and opportunities for community members to gather around shared concerns about democracy and civic participation. Messages displayed at the event included “Power to the People — Vote” and “Build Community as an Act of Resistance.”
Mayor Tom French speaks at rallyElizabeth Simmons-O’Neil, a co-lead of the Lake Forest Park rally, said attendees appreciated the gathering, its music, and the chance to come together around democratic participation.
Many participants had already voted, while others were encouraged to complete their ballots and return them promptly.
Seattle Rally Draws Thousands
Lake Forest Park’s gathering was part of a much larger day of demonstrations across Washington and the United States.
In Seattle, thousands gathered for a No Kings march from Westlake Park to Seattle Center, where a voting fair focused on voter education, voting rights, and election participation. The event aimed to help eligible voters understand their options and plan how to cast their ballots.
Nationally, rallies took place in cities and communities across the country. The demonstrations continued a series of No Kings events organized in opposition to President Donald Trump’s administration and what participants describe as threats to democratic institutions and government accountability.
Although the movement has been associated with protests against the administration, organizers framed the October 17 events around encouraging early voting and broad civic participation ahead of the midterm elections. The Associated Press also reported on the nationwide demonstrations and their focus on voter turnout.
From Protest to Participation
The Lake Forest Park rally highlighted a central question facing civic movements: how to turn public expressions of concern into participation in the political process.
For attendees, that meant more than carrying signs or attending a demonstration. Organizers urged eligible voters to complete their ballots, use official ballot drop boxes, and help neighbors who might need assistance participating in the election.
Washington voters can find official election information, check their registration status, and locate ballot drop boxes through the Washington Secretary of State’s VoteWA website.
The November 3 general election will give voters a chance to weigh in on the candidates and issues on their ballots. Saturday’s gatherings put that opportunity at the center of demonstrations that connected local community participation with a nationwide call to vote.
