No Kings Rally in New Britain Encourages People to Vote; Part of Nationwide Movement of Protests

More than 100 people gathered in New Britain’s Central Park on Saturday for a protest that was part of a nationwide movement of “No Kings” rallies to encourage people to vote in this autumn’s national elections.

Speakers made a strong appeal for civic engagement, with speakers, including New Britain Mayor Bobby Sanchez (D), urging attendees and the broader community to cast their ballots in the upcoming election. Speakers addressed the crowd from a central setup featuring a banner that read “We the People, NO KINGS IN AMERICA”.

Demonstrators carried a variety of handmade signs reinforcing the rally’s themes and the push for voter turnout. People carried signs saying “Democracy Not Monarchy,” “Be the Change, Cast Your Vote” and “Hate Won’t Make America Great USA”. Several other signs simply read “VOTE” in large lettering. The energetic crowd frequently cheered as passing motorists honked their horns in support of the demonstration.

Promoting the rally’s message, organizers highlighted the three available voting options available for the 2026 election:

• Absentee Voting: Voters can use an absentee ballot process, securely returning their official absentee ballot envelopes by mail or by dropping them off at designated locations, such as the official State of Connecticut Ballot Drop Box located downtown. According to the Secretary of the State website, “Voters no longer need to provide a specific reason or excuse to request an absentee ballot for any referendum, primary or election.” Active eligible voters have the option to apply for their absentee ballot online through the state’s request portal. Specific details, guidelines and a link for online absentee ballot applications are available at the Secretary of the State website at https://portal.ct.gov/sots/election-services/voter-information/absentee-voting.
• Early Voting (In Person): There are 14 early voting days running from Monday, October 19 through Sunday, November 1 (image_40c5de.png). Hours are generally from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with extended hours on October 27 and October 29 from 8 am to 8 pm. New Britain locations include the Senior Center on 55 Pearl Street and a mobile office on the CCSU campus at the corner of East Street & Paul Manafort Sr. Drive. For new voters, Same Day Registration, where voters register in person and receive a ballot, is available during the early voting period. This requires an ID and proof of residency, according to the More information is available at the New Britain Registrars of Voters election announcement.
• Election Day: Traditional in-person voting will take place on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, with polling places open from 6 am to 8 pm. Same Day Registration is available on Election Day, but only in City Hall Room 108 from 6 am to 8 pm and also requires an ID and proof of residency. More election is available at the city Registrars of Voters website.

For general voter information and fact sheets, residents can visit myvote.ct.gov.