When Democrats gather at the August Democratic National Convention, the majority of delegates are expected to back President Joe Biden as the party’s 2024 nominee.
But there will also be a smaller segment of uncommitted delegates who represent the party’s simmering tensions over the Israel–Hamas war.
They will represent more than 700,000 Democrats in several states who have voted uncommitted, opted to write in a candidate, or left their ballot blank.
There are currently 36 uncommitted delegates from nine states as of the first week in June compared to Biden’s 3,872 delegates, according to the Associated Press. There are also seven delegates that have not been assigned.
The share of uncommitted delegates isn’t enough to wreak havoc during the convention, but it does represent a campaign that remains unabated more than eight months after Hamas launched a surprise Oct. 7 attack against Israel.
Democrats maintain the convention will be peaceful and disaffected Democrats will be welcomed.
“Our convention will be a celebration of all that unites us as Democrats because though we may not see eye to eye on every issue, we all operate from the same set of shared values,” Emily Soong, a spokeswoman for the Democratic National Convention, previously told the Washington Examiner in a statement.
Here are the states sending uncommitted delegates to the convention.
Michigan
Democratic displeasure over the Biden administration’s handling of the conflict in Gaza was first felt electorally when more than 101,000 Democrats, including Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), voted “uncommitted” during Michigan’s primary in late February.
The campaign would spread even further during Super Tuesday and beyond after garnering two uncommitted delegates in Michigan.
Michigan is home to a sizable population of Arab and Muslim Americans who could hurt Biden’s chances in November in the crucial battleground state if enough of them continue to protest voting against the president.
However, political experts cautioned that these protest voters could likely come around to Biden by November.
“Some of them probably are truly uncommitted and will not support or vote for Biden in the upcoming election,” Andra Gillespie, Emory University professor and political analyst, told the Washington Examiner earlier this month. “But I think some of them are using the primaries as an opportunity to express their dissent now because they intend to hold their nose and vote for Biden, despite the disagreement on these issues.”
Massachusetts
During Super Tuesday primaries, more than 60,000 voters, or 9.4% of Massachusetts Democrats, opted to cast a “no preference” vote, resulting in one uncommitted delegate from the Seventh Congressional District.
“Hopefully at the Democratic National Convention we can clarify to Joe Biden and the Democrats that … the blood is on their hands,” said Sara Halawa, an organizer of the Massachusetts primary protest vote, told The Boston Globe. “I think that with these delegates, we’re able to have a real reckoning inside the Democratic Party about who we are and the values that we have at home and the international community.”
Minnesota
Of all the states that have held presidential primaries, Minnesota notched the highest amount of uncommitted delegates on Super Tuesday.
Nearly 46,000 Democrats snubbed Biden, totaling 19% of the vote and leading to 11 uncommitted delegates. Asma Mohammed, an uncommitted delegate to the DNC, told the MinnPost the movement is “afraid of a Trump presidency.”
“We don’t want that. And the only way we can avoid that is if we get a ceasefire,” Mohammed continued.
The Trump campaign has suggested Minnesota is in play for 2024, although Biden campaign officials dismissed those statements.
However, in an interview with the Washington Post late last month, Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN) warned Democrats his state was in play.
“It’s going to be close out here. We’re not a given,” said Walz.
“We have the longest record of voting for Democrats of any of the states because we made the wise choice for Walter Mondale, but in all those years since then, it’s been close,” Walz continued.
Hawaii
One day after Super Tuesday, more than 29% of Hawaii Democrats opted to vote uncommitted during the presidential caucuses, netting seven delegates.
Biden won the other 15 delegates and 66% of the vote, or 1,047 votes compared to the 463 people who voted uncommitted.
Hawaii has the third-largest contingent of uncommitted delegates among states that have held primary nominating contests.
Washington
Almost one week after Hawaii, nearly 90,000 Democrat voters in Washington, or roughly 10% of the vote, opted to cast an uncommitted ballot during the presidential primary.
As a result, two uncommitted delegates from Washington are headed to the DNC convention.
“Washington has proven that even in one of the bluest states in the country, there is deep discontent among Democrats with President Biden’s unconditional support for Israel’s war and disregard for basic human rights,” said Rami Al-Kabra, spokesman for Uncommitted Washington, in a statement at the time. “We will continue to advocate for Palestinian rights and Palestinian life at the Democratic National Convention and all the way through November.”
Uncommitted Washington, a leader in the protest votes, is now working on raising funds to send the delegates, Yazan Kader and Majd Baniodeh, to the convention.
Missouri
Missouri is sending three uncommitted delegates from the 1st and 2nd Congressional Districts to the convention after nearly 12% of Democratic voters selected the option in the primary held in late March.
Both districts encompass part of St. Louis. The 1st Congressional District is represented by Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO) who is an automatic delegate to the convention committed to voting for Biden.
Michael Berg, Eram Mahmud, and Raychel Proudie have been elected as Missouri’s Congressional District Delegates to the convention.
Rhode Island
In early April, almost 15% of Rhode Island Democrats voted uncommitted in the primary, resulting in one delegate.
The Rhode Island Democratic Socialists of America led the uncommitted campaign to snub Biden during the primary.
Rhode Island’s one uncommitted delegate won’t be selected until June 9, when the state Democratic Party convention is held. However according to the party rules, the delegate must be a man from the 2nd Congressional District.
Kentucky
The Bluegrass State had the second-highest share of uncommitted delegates among the states that have held Democratic presidential primaries so far.
Nearly 33,000 Democrats, or 18%, voted uncommitted during the primary, leading to eight delegates.
The Democratic state convention will be held on June 15 in Louisville, where delegates to the convention will be chosen.
New Jersey
On the first Tuesday in June more than 42,600 Democrats, or 8.7%, voted uncommitted during the presidential primary, notching one uncommitted delegate from the state.
The campaign, spearheaded by the North New Jersey Democratic Socialists of America, is running under the slogan “Justice for Palestine, Permanent Ceasefire Now.”
It garnered its sole delegate in the 18th Delegate District, which includes Paterson, New Jersey.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Uncommitted NJ posted about its success during the primary on social media Thursday.
“The votes are still being counted, but the results are in … NJ says NO to Genocide Joe!” the group wrote. “Thank you to everyone who showed up for Gaza on Election Day.”
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