Naperville Rally Encourages Early Voting

Saturday morning, around 200 people gathered on Washington Street in downtown Naperville, urging eligible voters to participate in the upcoming midterm elections. The rally, organized by Indivisible Naperville, the League of Women Voters of Naperville, and the American Association of University Women Naperville Area, was part of numerous ‘No Kings: Vote Early’ events held in the Chicago area and across the United States.

Local events were also held in places like Glen Ellyn, Wheaton, and Elmhurst. Demonstrators marched to the Naperville Municipal Center to vote, aiming to motivate early participation. The event focused on nonpartisan engagement, encouraging attendees to plan their participation in the voting process. The Washington Street bridge was strategically chosen as it is close to the municipal center, an early voting location.

We want to be close enough but not interfering with voting, and encourage people to go vote early, explained Donna Cheesebrough, president of the Naperville League of Women Voters. Participants held signs with messages like ‘Now or Never 2026 Midterm Elections’ and ‘Rise Up! Take Back What’s Ours! Vote!’ Some attendees were guided to the municipal center to cast their votes early.

Nick Owens, a Naperville resident, expressed his discontent with the current administration and his support for the Democratic Party. He felt the rally was an opportunity to voice his concerns and fulfill his duty as a citizen. Meanwhile, Therese Bouchard, originally from Canada but living in Chicago for 12 years, attended to show support, highlighting the importance of voting.

The protest atmosphere was lively, with a Dixieland band bringing New Orleans’ Bourbon Street vibes to the rally. Dianne McGuire, co-leader of Indivisible Naperville, noted how the music lifted the attendees’ spirits, reminiscent of a previous experience in Oak Brook.

A counter-protest organized by DuPage County Republicans featured trucks with messages like ‘Say No To Pritzker The Tax King’ driving through the rally. Kevin Coyne, Chair of DuPage County Republicans, emphasized the need for early voting plans among Republicans, addressing a historical reluctance to vote before election day.

When the trucks passed, rally participants responded with boos, highlighting their opposition. Don McBride, a Naperville resident, voiced his participation as a stand against the Trump administration, emphasizing the election’s significance for future generations.