In recent months, a critical question has plagued residents of Michigan: how to make our voices heard when President Biden officials ignore our pleas. This sentiment is deeply felt in the Detroit and Dearborn area, where the community is acutely aware of the devastation in Gaza - a crisis we feel intimately connected to, as it impacts our friends, families, and broader communities. Despite our efforts through protests, letters, calls, and demonstrations, our pleas seem to fall on deaf ears while the tragedy in Gaza escalates. Frustrated with the lack of response, we are now turning to a more traditional method of democratic expression: our voting power.

In the upcoming Michigan Democratic primary on February 27, many, including lifelong Democrats, are choosing to vote "uncommitted" rather than support President Biden's reelection. This is not an endorsement of Trump or a desire to see him return to power. The Democratic primary election is as an opportunity to question whether the incumbent genuinely holds the support of his own party's base. Michigan, a critical state in the general election and a key component of the Democratic coalition, is becoming a battleground where voters are expressing their disappointment and demanding a change in policy. We are sending the warning sign to President Biden and the Democratic Party now in February, before it’s too late in November.

President Biden and Democratic Party leadership in Washington anticipates our anger will dissipate with time, expecting us to ultimately relent. However, by casting an uncommitted vote on February 26, we in Michigan aim to convey a firm message of our persistent demand for ceasefire and an end to financing Israel’s war crimes and genocide in Gaza.

Theory of change:
If we can demonstrate our political power and discontent through thousands of of 'Uncommitted' votes in the Michigan Democratic primaries, then Biden would feel more at risk of losing Michigan in the general election, prompting a potential reassessment of his financing and backing of Israel’s war in Gaza.

Who is this group?

We are a multiracial and multifaith, anti-war campaign here in Michigan to tell President Biden that we are uncommitted to his administration’s funding of war and genocide in Gaza.

Michigan voters are sending President Biden a direct message in the February 27 Democratic primary: count us out, count Michigan uncommitted for Biden’s funding war and genocide in Gaza.

How can Biden earn your vote?

It will be difficult for Biden to earn back our trust after financing war and genocide in Gaza. He must stop funding the Israeli government’s atrocities against the Palestinian people. 

President Biden’s been a successful candidate in the past by representing a broad coalition, but right now he’s not representing the vast majority of Democrats who want a ceasefire and an end to our government's unconditional weapons funding of Israel. 

He's not representing the young people who put him in office and turned out in the midterms -- and are now out protesting his policies in the streets.

Do you support a ceasefire?

Yes. A ceasefire is a negotiated end to violence between all parties and to release Palestinians held by Israel and Israelis held in Gaza.

Aren’t you afraid this will help Trump?

This is a primary where Democrats are trying to get their voice heard by the man who claims to lead our party. We are well-aware that Trump is not our friend. There is a long time between now and November for Biden to change his policies and earn support from Democratic voters.

How many votes are you expecting?

This is a last minute, low-budget effort born out of desperation to get our voices heard by President Biden. We are hoping to make an impact.

Do I have to choose the Democratic Party party for the primaries?

For the Democratic primaries, you must request a Democratic Party ballot.

What if I want to vote for an independent in the general election? Does choosing a Democratic primary ballot prevent me from doing that?

No, the ballot you choose for primaries is not the party you need to vote for in the general election.

What is the history of voting uncommitted?
The Michigan Democratic presidential primary is an important venue to demonstrate a large rejection of President Biden’s backing and financing of the Israeli government’s war in Gaza. In 2008, Obama did not make the ballot in the Michigan primaries but his campaign mobilized young and Black voters to vote “uncommitted” as a symbolic (and real) rejection of Hillary Clinton. It embarrassed Clinton.