No Kings: Mohawk Valley Early Voting Events Held In Rome, Utica, and Herkimer
UTICA – On Saturday, October 17th, several hundred community members in Rome, Utica, and Herkimer joined in the more than 2000 events held across the nation for the fourth No Kings Day. In contrast to previous No Kings events, where the focus was on mass gatherings, No Kings 4 Vote Early was a nationwide day of action focused on local nonpartisan voter participation and election protection. Each location in the Mohawk Valley featured spots for community members to double-check their voter registration, locate polling places or ballot drop boxes, organize rides to the polls, and connect with voter protection networks ahead of the November 3rd midterm elections. Early voting starts October 24th and will include Mohawk Valley early voting opportunities.
In addition to voter registration, the Rome rally included speakers Lu Blanchard from the League of Women Voters Utica-Rome, Jackie Nelson from the NAACP Rome Branch, and community members Robert Angelicola, Michael Corbett, and Erica Zalatan. Participants in Utica arranged themselves to create a living Vote Early photo, and Herkimer held a honk and wave rally at 4pm encouraging early voting.
Quotes from the speakers at the Rome event:
“Taxes, services and opportunities affect us all and rest on who is elected to make decisions about them! It is our right and our responsibility to vote, and everyone here today needs to make sure they are not only exercising their right, but also encouraging at least one other person to do the same.” Lu Blanchard, co-President, League of Women Voters of Utica Rome Area
“Every voice matters, Every vote matters. When every community is included, democracy works better for us all.” Jacqueline M. Nelson, President, NAACP Rome New York Branch
Instead of offering someone a ride to the polls – just tell them what time you’re picking them up. If you are an employer, offer your team the day off with pay if they vote. Have the hard conversations. Do what you need to do to get those few people to the polls because when we vote, we win. The question to ask yourself is “How many people will vote because of you?” Voting is a superpower. When you don’t vote, you make someone else’s vote more powerful; you are handing one of your most valuable powers to someone else.” Robert Angelicola, Rome
“Every action has a consequence but so does every inaction. It is our duty to usher in the next generation of leaders who listen and fight for a better future.” Erica Zalatan, Whitesboro
Quote from an attendee in Rome:
“I’m voting early. I’m here because it gives me a better chance to push out the fact that voting early is an option to those people that haven’t voted in the past.
(When asked how she feels after the program today)
‘I feel like no matter what happens, there’s a plan and that makes me feel confident.”
-Tori, Rome
“With early voting starting on October 24th, casting our ballot is our primary tool of authority,” according to Indivisible Mohawk Valley. “Today, we came together to make sure everyone has a concrete voting plan and that every legal vote in our community is protected and counted.”
The No Kings events are nonpartisan and are designed to increase participation from all eligible voters.
The Utica, Rome, and Herkimer No Kings rallies were sponsored by Indivisible Mohawk Valley and Rome Concerned Citizens.
Photos and videos from the events below and at the links here:
Utica, FT Proctor Park
