In a historic move, Democratic strategist Waleed Shahid initiated a strategic plan to shift President Joe Biden’s stance on Gaza. Shahid’s seven-page memo outlined a case for an immediate cease-fire in a slaughter that has claimed over 30,000 Palestinian lives. The plan eventually led to a protest vote during Michigan’s Democratic presidential primary. Election Day turnout exceeded expectations, with the “uncommitted” vote reaching 10,000 within minutes of the polls closing.
The plan, named “Listen to Michigan,” targeted voters in Michigan, a critical swing state with the largest Arab and Muslim population in the U.S. Within days, a group of over a dozen organizers, political strategists, and activists convened on a Zoom call to discuss the impending primary. Despite the initial uncertainty, their goal was clear: mobilize at least 10,000 voters to cast their ballots as “uncommitted” to send a message to the White House.
Ultimately, over 100,000 voters—which is more than 13% of Michigan Democrats in the primary—all expressed their discontent by choosing the “uncommitted” option. A co-chair for Biden’s re-election bid acknowledged the impact of the campaign, emphasizing that their “message has been received.”
Inspired by the Michigan success, similar efforts have sprouted across the nation. Several states, including Massachusetts, Minnesota, Colorado, North Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, and Alabama, feature an “uncommitted” line or write-in slot on their Democratic primary ballot. The Democratic Socialists of America, boasting over 92,000 members across all 50 states, endorsed the “uncommitted” vote, amplifying the movement’s reach. Additionally, Washington state’s largest labor union endorsed voting “uncommitted” for its Democratic presidential primary.
The “Listen to Michigan” campaign, spearheaded by Layla Elabed, had a broader goal of leveraging the primary election to convey concerns directly to the White House. Elabed highlighted the fatigue of voters who felt forced to choose between the “lesser of two evils.”
Many have argued that the “uncommitted” movement creates unnecessary division among Democrats and disenfranchises voters. However, Seth Woody, the field director of the “Listen to Michigan” campaign, refutes these claims, stating that they are not demobilizing voters, rather encouraging political participation.
The movement garnered support from over 30 local politicians, including Detroit Councilwoman Mary Waters and Abdullah Hammoud, the first Arab American and Muslim mayor of Dearborn. Nationally, endorsements flowed in from figures like Representative Rashida Tlaib, former presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke, former Representative Andy Levin, and Josh Paul, the former State Department director who resigned over the Israel arms deal.
Biden secured a victory with 81%, but the substantial protest vote showed just how dissatisfied the Arab American and progressive Democratic communities were. Notably, neither Biden nor Vice President Kamala Harris addressed Gaza or Israel in their statements on Michigan’s results.
The “uncommitted” movement plans to hold the Democratic nominee accountable to their anti-war agenda at the Democratic National Convention in August. Organizers demand a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and a cessation of aid to Israel, signaling potential challenges for Biden’s re-election efforts.
