Madison No Kings march draws estimates of up to 1,500

Hundreds of people gathered in Madison on Oct. 17 for a No Kings protest that combined a march with a push to get voters ready for the November midterm election. Wisconsin Public Radio described turnout as hundreds. The Wisconsin Examiner estimated about 1,000 people at the gathering’s start and about 1,500 as the march grew; those were estimates, not an official count.

The gathering began at James Madison Park, moved to the Wisconsin State Capitol and around Capitol Square, then ended in front of Madison City Hall. Speakers there urged attendees to vote early, and participants received voting information.

Wisconsin Public Radio described the Madison event as one of dozens around Wisconsin held as part of a nationwide day of action. Wisconsin’s MyVote site listed in-person absentee voting for the Nov. 3, 2026, election as beginning Oct. 20, with availability and hours varying by municipality. The early-voting period was scheduled to begin three days after the march.