The "No Kings" movement returns to California on Saturday, but this weekend's events are expected to look different from the large-scale protest demonstrations that drew crowds across the region over the past
year.
Organizers have rebranded the latest round of events as "No Kings: Vote Early," shifting the focus from street protests to voter participation ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm election. Across California, organizers plan rallies, walks, community gatherings, and voter outreach events in dozens of cities, including Los Angeles, San Diego, Palm Springs, San Francisco, Redding, Monterey, Riverside, Huntington Beach, Fresno, Stockton, Ventura and Temecula.
The nationwide day of action comes amid an escalating dispute over California's election process. The U.S. Department of Justice is seeking to stop the state from counting certain vote-by-mail ballots tied to alleged noncitizens until it can verify citizenship status, a move California officials have strongly disputed. Organizers say Saturday's events are intended to encourage eligible voters to cast ballots early and learn more about their voting options before Election Day.
Check back throughout Saturday for the latest updates, photos, and developments from "No Kings: Vote Early" events across Southern California.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Live coverage as No Kings returns to California with a focus on voting
