JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A University of North Florida political expert expressed concern over the impact of “uncommitted” voters on Biden’s campaign following Michigan’s Democratic primary.
This came after an organized movement to “vote uncommitted” and show unhappiness with the current United States policy on the Israel-Hamas conflict.
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According to the Associated Press, Michigan has the largest concentration of Arab Americans in the nation. More than 310,000 residents are of Middle Eastern or North African ancestry. Nearly half of the Detroit suburb of Dearborn’s roughly 110,000 residents claim Arab ancestry.
DEARBORN, MICHIGAN - FEBRUARY 27: A Democratic voter uncommitted to President Joe Biden rallies outside of a polling location at Maples Elementary School on February 27, 2024 in Dearborn, Michigan. Michigan votes headed to the polls today to vote in the Democratic and Republican primary elections. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
“A warning to Biden and his administration that they need to hear our calls and heed our demands and respond to what it is that we’re asking for, which is an immediate and a permanent cease-fire,” Lexi Zeidan, a Palestinian-American activist said.
The question is whether these reliably Democratic-leaning voters will vote uncommitted again in the November General Election when multiple swing states like Michigan and Georgia have only been separated by thousands of votes in previous elections.
“10K, 15K votes can swing a state and Michigan is really a pivotal state in this year’s election,” Dr. Michael Binder of the University of North Florida’s public opinion research lab said.
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Binder pointed out the protest voters are mostly engaged Democrat voters who are unlikely to vote Republican.
“100,000 votes if you’re a Democrat can appear very scary if they’re not willing to vote Joe Biden, but I’m not sure we’re there just yet,” Binder said.
Binder added that it’s a concern for Biden in November.
“You’re the only person actively running the campaign and 100,000 people say I’m not supporting you,” Binder said.
Binder said there may be voters who didn’t show up to the polls who share the same perspective on the Israel-Hamas conflict and are likely to stay home in November.