Arab and Muslim communities in Michigan are urging voters to choose "uncommitted" in the Democratic primary to send a message to President Biden about his policies on the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The "Listen to Michigan" campaign hopes to leverage a quirk in the state's ballot to show Biden that his stance on Israel could cost him support in the November general election.
They are asking voters to choose "uncommitted" as a form of protest, hoping to garner at least 10,000 votes or 15% of the total. This would give them a stronger voice at the Democratic National Convention in August.
The group has received endorsements from some notable figures, including Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud and Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib. However, former Texas Rep. Beto O'Rourke, who initially voiced support for their goals, has since clarified that he will be backing Biden for re-election.
While Biden is expected to win the primary regardless, the results will be closely watched to gauge the size of the "uncommitted" vote. This will serve as an indicator of the effectiveness of the campaign and the level of dissatisfaction among Arab and Muslim communities in Michigan.
Some attendees at Listen to Michigan events have criticized the campaign for poor organization and low attendance. However, others believe it's still early days and the real test will come on election day.
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