No Kings on 10/17 aims to turn voters’ protest energy into election participation

“No Kings: Vote Early,” the next nationwide No Kings event, asks Grand Junction citizens to bring their ballots and vote together on October 17.

The No Kings event in Grand Junction on Saturday, October 17 will be from 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m. at the historic Lowell School, and will combine nonpartisan voter education, live music, local organizations and a group walk to the downtown ballot drop box.

Attendees are encouraged to bring their ballots, fill them out, get questions answered and vote together. This event represents a shift from protest and public demonstrations to participation at the ballot box, with the goal of encouraging voting and making it accessible, social and community-centered.

“Grand Junction has shown up in the thousands for three previous No Kings protests, but protests can only get us so far,” said Raquel Scianna, an organizer with Indivisible Grand Junction. “This is our chance to turn that energy into action that has a real impact. If we show up at the ballot box with the same energy, urgency, and determination we’ve brought to the streets, we can change what’s possible in our community and in our country,” said Scianna.

Here’s what will go down:

 

WHAT: No Kings: Vote Early – The afternoon will include live music, games, community speakers, local organizations and nonpartisan voter education. Attendees can bring their ballots and access information and resources to help them make their own decisions at the ballot box.

At 2:45 p.m., participants will head together to the ballot drop box at Spruce & Main Streets downtown. Attendees can walk, bike with G.J. Bike Nights or take a ride with a volunteer.

WHEN: Saturday, October 17, 2026, from 12:00 noon – 3:00 p.m.  Group departure for the ballot drop box will be at 2:45 p.m.

WHERE:

The Historic Lowell School
310 N. 7th Street
Grand Junction, Colorado

WHO: The event will feature community speakers, including Mesa County Clerk and Recorder Bobbie Gross, who will participate in her official capacity as County Clerk and provide information about the local voting process. Local organizations including Voces Unidas, Conservation Colorado, Western Slope Sierra Club and others will also participate, connecting community members with information and resources.

WHY: “No Kings: Vote Early” is designed to turn civic participation into something the Grand Junction community can do together. Voting is one of the most direct ways eligible voters can participate in their communities and have a say in who represents them. Voting early also gives voters additional time to address questions or potential problems that could otherwise interfere with casting their ballots.

Please note that this is not a candidate rally or partisan campaign event. The focus is on encouraging eligible voters to participate and providing factual, nonpartisan information. Participating organizations will provide information about issues and the voting process without telling attendees how to vote.

The message is simple: “Bring your ballot. Fill it out. Let’s vote together.”