At Washington state Capitol, No Kings rally is all about voting early

A smiling Judy Caron sat on a metal bench on the grounds of the Washington state Capitol, her face partially shielded from Saturday’s bright morning sun by a homemade sign, “No Cons, No Clowns, No Kings.”

Caron left her home in Lacey and arrived early for the No Kings rally, an event that eventually drew several hundred people to the lawn surrounding the Tivoli Fountain and the sidewalks on both sides of Capitol Way.

“This is my fourth. Each one does feel differently,” she said. “I’m 83. I feel our best days are behind us, and I am concerned about our future generations. Here, people are excited about voting and democracy, and I will leave feeling a lot better than when I came.”

Saturday’s two-hour event at the Capitol was decentralized. No stage and no speakers though there was music, drumming and singing. Most folks congregated near and along the road where passing cars honked in solidarity.

It was one of more than two dozen events in the state, with the largest expected in Seattle.

Evergreen Resistance and Olympia Indivisible had booths where volunteers trafficked information solely on how best to make sure one’s ballot is received and counted. 

Voting is “an honor and it’s a responsibility. Our election is foundational in America,” said Amy Rehwaldt of Olympia, an organizer with Evergreen Resistance and Olympia Indivisible. “We really want people to know to avoid any last-minute drama, vote early.”

Voting early, the overriding theme of the rally, is the message local and state election officials have been delivering with increasing volume since the August primary when 20,000 ballots arrived late and did not get counted. 

Several counties mailed out ballots more than a week ago to give people more time. Those officials are strongly encouraging use of ballot drop boxes rather than the U.S. Postal Service.

As a result of recent changes, there are fewer pick-ups from mailboxes, especially in rural areas. Thus the postal service does not guarantee a ballot will get postmarked on the day it’s put in the mailbox. After Oct. 26, officials are counseling voters to go to the post office and get their ballot return envelope postmarked in person.

Members of the Backbone Campaign, a progressive organization launched by a Vashon Island resident, spent the duration of the event on the lawn holding their lighted sign, “Imagine a better world, vote.” 

“I’m in line with the theme for today,” said Jeff Snyder. “I have different themes in my mind, too. My mantra is vote blue then demand something new. I am not entirely happy with the way things are going.”

Some in the crowd came with props or in costumes.

Joyce Schmidt of Olympia donned a chicken suit and carried a sign — “Gas is too expensive so I had to ride my chicken.” She said she’d been to every No Kings rally at the Capitol.

“I’m a veteran. I am tired of this,” she said, referring to the Trump administration’s reign. “We vowed our oath to the Constitution and not to a man.”

John Hess of Centralia sat in a folding chair clutching a large red banner emblazoned with Trump’s name. Hess seemed to be the lone supporter of the president, though it wasn’t intentional.

Each weekend he comes to the Capitol for a couple hours to pray. He usually has signs opposing abortion or socialism, or concerning another subject. He wasn’t aware of the rally until Friday.

Judging from the steely stares and periodic abusive comments hurled his way, his presence wasn’t welcome. He was surrounded by folks wielding anti-Trump materials. “Normally, I don’t get this much excitement,” Hess said.