As President Joe Biden secured victories in the Democratic primaries on Super Tuesday, a noteworthy challenge surfaced in the form of a significant number of “uncommitted” votes, signaling discontent with his handling of the Israel–Hamas conflict.
Various Super Tuesday states included an “uncommitted” option on their ballots, amassing approximately 254,017 votes by Wednesday morning, according to Associated Press totals. Notably, in North Carolina, where Biden was the sole Democratic candidate on the ballot, “uncommitted” votes constituted 12.7% of the total, garnering 88,021 votes, while Biden secured 87.3% with 606,302 votes.
Massachusetts also saw a notable presence of “uncommitted” voters, making up 9.4% of the vote compared to Biden’s 82.8%, with 85% of the votes counted. In Minnesota, Biden surpassed Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN), securing 70.6% of the vote, while “uncommitted” claimed third place with 18.9% support or 45,942 votes. Other states, including Alabama, Colorado, Tennessee, and Iowa, witnessed the “uncommitted” option outperforming certain candidates.
This comes in addition to over 100,000 Michiganders, constituting 13.2% of Democratic primary voters, who chose “uncommitted” the previous week. Advocacy group Listen to Michigan encouraged dissatisfied voters to choose this option, aiming to send a message to Biden to reassess his stance on Gaza. The movement has garnered momentum, reflecting growing concerns about the President’s approach to the Israel–Hamas conflict.
Nikki Haley’s decision to end her presidential campaign on Wednesday sets the stage for a rematch between Biden and former President Donald Trump in November. Biden’s support for Israel’s actions in Gaza, amid an escalating humanitarian crisis, has been a focal point in his reelection bid. As discussions around a possible six-week ceasefire in Gaza unfold, Biden’s handling of the conflict continues to be a significant factor in shaping public sentiment.
