Michigan community leaders are urging voters to choose “uncommitted” in the state’s primary elections, aiming to convey dissatisfaction with President Biden’s support for Israel during the conflict with Gaza.
Hussein Dabajeh, an organizer of the “Vote Uncommitted” movement, highlighted concerns about Biden’s position on the Israel-Gaza conflict, stating, “That’s not who we voted into office. That’s not who we helped elect.”
In Michigan, voters can opt for “uncommitted” on Democratic and Republican primary ballots, signaling affiliation with the party but without committing to any listed candidates. If enough “uncommitted” votes are cast, delegates may attend the national nominating convention without aligning with a specific candidate.
Michigan, a pivotal swing state, witnessed a narrow victory for Biden in 2020. However, with growing discontent among Arab and Muslim American voters over Biden’s stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict, organizers believe significant “uncommitted” votes could prompt a reevaluation of Biden’s support for Israel.
The Vote Uncommitted movement echoes efforts in New Hampshire, where voters were encouraged to write in “ceasefire” during the primary. Although garnering modest support, this approach differed in scale and demographics from Michigan’s initiative.
Despite attempts by the Biden campaign to engage with Arab American community leaders in Michigan, some leaders declined to meet, emphasizing the humanitarian urgency of the situation in Gaza.
Vote Uncommitted emphasizes its stance as a multiracial and multifaith anti-war campaign, stressing it’s not an endorsement of Trump but a warning to Biden and the Democratic Party to address concerns before the November elections.
This strategy echoes the 2008 Michigan Democratic primary, where dissatisfaction led to a significant number of “uncommitted” votes. Governor Gretchen Whitmer acknowledged the widespread sentiments on the Israel-Hamas conflict, emphasizing the legitimacy of personal opinions and the raw emotions involved.
