Rapid Response Readiness

Election Protection Rapid Response: Are You Ready?

Rapid response means mobilizing quickly and collectively in response to urgent threats to our elections and democracy. That could mean responding to voter intimidation, interference with ballot counting or certification, or other threats to the democratic process. Responses may range from immediate local actions to sustained nationwide demonstrations, strikes, and other forms of nonviolent collective action.

The MNW/Upper Charles Action Hub, Indivisible, MA50501, Progressive Massachusetts, and many environmental groups are calling on each local action group, with smaller teams inside it for different roles, to connect into the larger rapid response network.

Take some time now to consider what you could realistically do and what you'd need to prepare:

• Election protection: Could you serve as a trained poll monitor on Election Day, potentially responding to concerns at a nearby polling location? Complete the Massachusetts Poll Monitor Training this week! Watch the online training, take a quiz, and sign up to volunteer. The final live online trainings are Monday, October 26, 12:00–1:30 p.m.; Tuesday, October 27, 6:00–7:30 p.m. (Spanish language); and Wednesday, October 28, 6:00–7:30 p.m. Be ready to move out if needed by packing a "go bag" with water, snacks, hand/feet warmers, and other supplies. If you or anyone you know runs into problems while voting, call the Election Protection hotline: 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683), or 888-VE-Y-VOTA (888-839-8682) for Spanish.

• Immediate mobilization: Could you join a demonstration within an hour or two? What would you need to arrange in advance...transportation, childcare, time off work, supplies, or a few friends ready to go with you? If you cannot attend yourself, could you drive others, watch someone's children, prepare meals for families of participants, or help spread verified information?

• Sustained support: Could you help keep demonstrations going over several days or weeks by providing food, water, transportation, funds, supplies, or volunteer coordination? Who could help you?

• Sustained collective action: Could you participate in a work stoppage, general strike, or other extended action? What would that require financially, professionally, and personally? Who in your community could coordinate the kind of support needed for this kind of action?

• Post-election vigilance: Do you know what an election irregularity looks like, and what can be done about it? Massachusetts won't audit this election: state law requires a post-election audit (a hand count of a random 3% of precincts) only after presidential elections, so in a midterm year, there is none. That makes a recount the main tool if questions arise, and the window is short. A request is due by 5:00 p.m. within ten days after the general election. In statewide races, the margin must be half a percent or less, and the request needs signatures from at least 1,000 registered voters; district-wide races have the same margin rule and their own signature requirement, and local races have no margin requirement. The state pays, and partial recounts are allowed. Groups and candidates alike should get familiar with the Election Truth Alliance's 2026 Candidate & Voter Toolkit, which explains how to detect and document irregularities and what to do in the critical days right after an election. Candidates: make sure someone on your team knows these procedures before Election Day.

Start these conversations now with friends, neighbors, and organizations you're already involved with. Connect with established rapid response networks rather than creating separate efforts. Your town's action group is the place to do that, so join an existing one or help start one. Coordinated action depends on reliable information, shared plans, and people who know how they can contribute.

Here are some starting resources:

True North Boston

Election Protection 101 (No Kings video) 

October 27 Activist Evenings Rapid Response Q&A Webinar

Election Truth Alliance 2026 Candidate & Voter Toolkit

Massachusetts recount rules (Ballotpedia)

Find your town's group

Group leaders: email info@millisdemocracy.org to find your regional Indivisible MA Rapid Response coordinator.

Stay tuned to the MNW Weekly Action Alert and this website for updated resources, information, and opportunities to participate.

We all are the drops that make the mighty current of democracy and justice. No drops, no current. We respect every voice! No kings, no lords, however rich!

Restoring Trust in Our Elections: How Massachusetts Counts and Reports Votes

Computerized elections have two phases. First, ballots are counted, mostly by tabulators, at each polling place. Second, those precinct results are passed "upchain" to the state, where they're combined into official totals. Mistakes, whether human or machine, can happen in either phase, and every mistake that goes uncaught weakens public trust.

At the polling place, the process is visible: election workers and observers can watch results being produced and checked. Once results leave the town, though, it's much less clear what checks exist to confirm that the numbers received match the numbers sent.

Before we can propose improvements, possibly including new Massachusetts legislation, we need to understand how the process actually works today, from precinct to state.

Lisa Hardin, former Millis Town Clerk, will walk us through how she ran elections in Millis Town Hall on October 5 at 6:30PM Room 130 to

1. How results were collected from each tabulator
2. How those results were checked and corrected
3. How the checks, corrections, and results were publicized
4. How the results were submitted upchain
5. How she confirmed her submission was received and recorded accurately

This is a learning session. Please bring your questions.

Email info@millisdemocracy.org for details. See here or calendar entry for latest updates.

MNW Action Hub Welcome

Welcome to the MNW Action Hub!

Across the Metrowest-Norfolk-Worcester area, we are standing up, speaking out, and taking action in record numbers. With massive rally crowds and sold-out events, it's clear we have passion and momentum. This group was created to work more efficiently across the many local groups responsible for this surge in activism.

The MNW Action hub has three core functions:

1. To serve as a clearinghouse for best practice in activism. We'll help area organizations share their successful activities through "how to" blog posts and a robust set of digital resources. Want to access our files? Fill out the Best Practice Clearinghouse Share Request. Want to share a practice? Fill out the MNW Best Practice Clearinghouse Submission.

2. To maintain a coordinated calendar of area events and activities so that, at any time, activists can find actions that match their schedules and areas of interest. Want to add an event to our calendar? Fill out the Calendar Input Form. Want to embed our calendar on your website? Request the embed code.

3. To encourage folks to find groups in their area and get more deeply involved in organizing. We have a solid set of generals. We have a lot of foot soldiers. We need some colonels and majors to help things run more smoothly. Ready to level up? Find a local group here. Or, help out the hub by emailing us.

This is where action meets impact. Let’s keep moving forward!

Nicola's Donuts and Democracy House Party

I feel like our country is on fire. Between ICE, the war in Iran, voter suppression threats, erosion of women’s rights, you know, ALL THE THINGS it just feels like ongoing daily trauma. And that’s for me, in a position of enormous privilege. 

I *want* to do something, but I look around and it’s so hard to know what can actually make a difference. I can call our reps, but they are already doing what they can. I can write postcards, but I write slowly and my hand gets sore so I can't do much. I can donate money to candidates, but it’s also hard to know who and whether that helps. 

In the midst of all that, I found an organization called Donuts + Democracy. It was mentioned in a comment on a Heather Cox Richardson post, as a way to help register young voters, and I immediately thought, that is something *I CAN DO*, and it makes a lot of sense. So I looked them up and donated some money. 

More recently I watched a webinar they ran and I donated more! Their model *works* and they have data to support what they’re doing. 

Here are some facts many people don't know:

• 47% of young Americans — 25 million eligible voters — are not registered to vote.

That's not a problem. That's an opportunity. Because here's the thing: when young

people register, they show up. 

• In 2020, 86% of registered young voters cast a ballot — and delivered a Democratic trifecta. 
• In 2025, young voters were the only age group to shift left, delivering decisive wins across the country.

The path to a 2026 Blue Wave runs right through college campuses. There are 18

million eligible young voters on college campuses across this country — and they are the most powerful, most under invested voting bloc in America.

So why aren't we winning them already? Two reasons:

1. Structural barriers — 45% of young non-voters in 2024 said they didn't know how to register, lacked information, time, or transportation. (The right has compounded this with voter suppression tactics targeting campuses directly.)
2. An enormous spending gap — the right has outspent the left 10-to-1 targeting young voters, pouring over $1.2 billion into youth outreach in the last 5 years alone.

Donuts + Democracy is closing that gap!!! 

For every $2 donated, they reach a young voter, get them registered, help them make a plan to vote, and make sure they know their voice matters.

Since their launching in October 2024, they have:

* engaged 120,000+ students

* supported 500+ events

* reached 150+ campuses across 23 states

* partnered with 100+ organizations. 

Now they want to scale. The 2026 goal: 250,000 young voters. 750+ events. 60+ competitive House, Senate, and statewide races.

Join me to hear how it all works on April 26, 7pm Eastern time and how you can be part of making it happen. RSVP here

Bring friends. Bring family. Bring your network. We will learn more about the org and hear from some of the students doing the work on campus. Bring a drink, and bring your optimism. We can do this!!!

 

With hope (and donuts),

Nic

 

To Learn more about Donuts + Democracy - check out

• D+D Impact Video
• D+D Website
• Why Invest In Young Voters Summary
• 2026 Target States Chart
• D+D Substack
• D+D Instagram (to see all their student events)

No Kings 3 Tips & Tools: Pre-Event Checklist

No Kings 3 Tips & Tools: Final Prep + Day-Of Checklist

Last week, we talked about creative resistance. For our final Tips & Tools, we’re bringing everything together with a quick, practical checklist for organizers and attendees. At this point, the goal isn’t more planning. It’s making sure your event runs smoothly, safely, and with strong visibility.

Final Prep (This Week)

• Make sure your team has completed at least one safety or marshal training (virtual or in-person). Check out our calendar for several online trainings this week. You can also view past trainings at NoKings.org. 
• Confirm roles: safety lead, peacekeepers, first aid team (if needed), press contact, photographer, and headcount tracker.
• Do a quick media check-in. Confirm who’s coming, resend your press release if needed.
• If you will have speakers, confirm attendance, gathering point, schedule, and time limits. Ensure your audio system is in good shape.
• Prep your visuals: signs, props, music, anything that adds energy and visibility.
• Prep handouts. This could include small flyers or preprinted business cards with a QR code or link to your organization's mailing list signup form. Many more folks may attend than have signed up via Mobilize. Make sure you capture and hold their interest!
• Connect with a service organization like a local food pantry with the event. Invite them to host an information/donation table.
• Some organizers also collect cash donations for local groups to show that No Kings is about caring for the community as much as protesting the Administration. Let attendees know you'll be collecting cash donations. Print QR codes that lead to the group's donations page for those who don't bring cash. Safety-pin these to the back of your coat for hands-free access.
• Set up Signal chats. You may want one just for safety marshals and a separate one for organizers. Or include everyone in the same chat if you're a small group.
• Finalize plans for carpooling if you plan to attend several events throughout the day.
• Send your final email to Mobilize signups with logistics, safety reminders, parking advice, ADA information, donation information, and tone (peaceful, welcoming).

Day-Of: Organizers

• Arrive early to set up any tables, tents, or other equipment.
• Do a quick team huddle to focus and energize.
• Confirm your Signal chat is up and running. Check in every 20 minutes or so to make sure everyone is paying attention.
• Make sure safety marshals are visible and positioned at strategic points. Remind them to focus on observing their surroundings and to check the Signal chat often.
• Greet media and help them get what they need.
• Greet speakers and ensure they remain close until they have spoken.
• Take photos and short videos to capture the energy. Before doing so, let folks know they should hold their signs in front of their faces if they don't wish to be visible.
• Distribute handouts so people can stay connected after the event.
• Keep messaging consistent: peaceful, welcoming, community-focused.
• Take a head count about halfway through the event, after latecomers arrive but before folks start drifting away. Thank people for coming and remind them how to stay involved

Day-Of: Attendees

• Dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes.
• Prep your phone. Consider basic privacy steps like turning off facial/fingerprint ID, limiting location services, and using airplane mode when possible. Make sure you can still access what you need (contacts, maps, emergency info) before the event.
• Bring water and any essentials you’ll need. Bring extras for folks who may have forgotten.
• Follow directions from safety marshals.
• Stay on sidewalks and out of the road. Cross streets only at crosswalks and pay careful attention. Drivers can be distracted by large crowds.
• Stay aware of your surroundings and support de-escalation. Remind folks to "smile and ignore" negative attention.
• Bring a sign, wear a fun costume, or just bring your positive energy!

One More Thing

Your event doesn’t need to be perfect. It needs to be visible, peaceful, and welcoming. When people see their neighbors showing up calmly and confidently, it builds momentum—and that’s what this is all about.

No Kings 3 Tips & Tools: Creative Resistance

No Kings 3 Tips & Tools: Building Joy, Fun, and Creativity into Our Resistance

Last week, we talked about safety planning. This week, we’re focusing on something just as important: bringing joy, humor, and creativity into our demonstrations.

Why Does Creative Resistance Matter?

Joyful protest sends a powerful message. It shows our neighbors that they are not alone and that it is safe to participate in peaceful civic action. It reminds people that standing up for democracy can be welcoming, hopeful, and community-building. 

Creativity also helps counter the narrative that protesters are angry, violent, or dangerous. When families show up with music, costumes, and laughter, it becomes very clear that we are ordinary people standing up for our communities. Humor can also take the wind out of the sails of those who show up looking to harass or intimidate.

Creative demonstrations also attract attention. Local and regional media outlets love a strong visual—costumes, music, playful signs, and unexpected moments that photograph well and tell a story. When your event is colorful and creative, it’s more likely to be shared by reporters, photographers, and on social media, helping your message travel beyond the people standing on the sidewalk that day.

Ideas for Creative Resistance

Across the country, communities are finding their own ways to express the spirit of creative resistance. There is no single formula. The goal is to let each town’s personality shine while keeping the focus on peaceful, positive visibility. Some creative ideas we’ve seen include:

• Costumes and visual themes. The frog costumes that started in Portland have now spread across the country. Other groups create themed outfits tied to local identity or humor.

• Bubble guns and playful visuals. In Holliston, bubble guns have become a signature element—turning a roadside standout into something joyful and memorable.

• Music and singing. Some demonstrations bring portable speakers or musicians and adapt well-known songs with protest lyrics. Sites like the Raging Grannies song archive share humorous, sing-along protest lyrics that groups often use.

• Creative signs. Funny or clever signs often get shared widely on social media and help a message travel far beyond the demonstration itself.

• Street theater and playful satire. Skits, mock ceremonies, or exaggerated characters can highlight the absurdity of harmful policies in ways that stick with people.

Balancing Creativity and Care

Humor can be a powerful organizing tool, but it also requires care. The goal is to mock the powerful institutions and decision-makers responsible for harm, not the communities that are suffering from it. Satire works best when it exposes hypocrisy or absurdity while keeping the moral focus clear. 

If you’re thinking about using humor or performance in your demonstration, these resources offer thoughtful guidance:

• The Museum of Protest: Humorous Skits and Pranks

• New Tactics: Using Humor to Expose the Ridiculous

At its best, joyful protest reminds people what we’re fighting for—not just what we’re fighting against. It turns a moment of resistance into a moment of community. And sometimes, a little laughter is exactly what helps people find the courage to show up.

No Kings 3 Safety Planning Tips

  

No Kings 3 Tips & Tools: Safety Planning

Last week, we shared tips for publicizing your event. This week, we're talking about safety. No Kings National takes safety seriously. Every event is required to designate a Safety Lead and complete a written Safety Plan.

Why? Because we are organizing in a tense political moment. Careful planning protects participants, prevents escalation, and ensures no one has an excuse to crack down on peaceful demonstrations. When we are calm and prepared, we show our communities that it is safe to lift up our voices.

Creating a Safety Plan

The Safety Plan template is available in the No Kings Host Toolkit and must be completed for every event. Plans will look different depending on your format and location, but at a high level, they include:

• Event overview (including primary safety concerns)
• Safety team (peacekeepers and safety lead roles and contact information)
• Support needs (medical, jail support if needed, press coordination)
• Communication (team communication plan and how you’ll communicate with attendees)
• Exit, dispersal, and emergency meeting point

All No Kings events are committed to lawful, nonviolent action, no civil disobedience, and no weapons of any kind.

Finding Safety Marshals & Volunteers

It can be challenging to find enough safety marshals, especially if you're not sure how many folks will attend. Some organizers estimate the need for 1 marshal per 50 attendees (for larger, more complicated events), or per 100 attendees (for brief, less complicated events). It can also help to plan for safety by zones. Think about where your event will take place. Think about potential safety choke-points, such as streets, crosswalks, public buildings, etc.

Before seeking safety support, come up with a brief statement of what a peacekeeper or safety marshal will need to do. For example, they must attend safety training prior to the event, provide their cell phone number and agree to be on Signal for the duration of the event, and focus on observing rather than holding signs or participating actively in the demonstration. 

To find volunteers, start by emailing your Mobilize list and asking directly. Then reach out to aligned local groups, such as Democratic Town Committees, Indivisible groups, diversity organizations, faith communities, and others. Ask each to provide 1–2 volunteers.

Training Opportunities

There are many virtual and in-person safety trainings. Recommend that your volunteers visit the No Kings training hub to view one or more past trainings and to find upcoming virtual sessions.

An in-person Safety Marshal Training is also being offered in Millis on March 11 from 6-9pm. This training will focus on site safety preparedness and practical de-escalation strategies for community demonstrations. Learn more and register here.

Strong organizing is safe organizing. When we prepare well, our message stays front and center, and our communities feel confident showing up. For more safety and de-escalation resources, check out our public Google folder, No Kings National Days of Action. It includes direct access to the No Kings Host Toolkit, a sample safety plan, and other tips and tools.