COLUMBIA, Md. — Voters in Maryland's Democratic Primary for years have had the option of voting for "uncommitted" instead of voting for a Democrat candidate.
That option has taken on new importance this year as activists nationwide are using "uncommitted" as a protest vote against President Biden and current U.S. policy on the Israel-Hamas war.
"We just believe that it is our moral responsibility to protest in this way," said Listen to Maryland organizer Hena Zuberi.
Zuberi is working to convince Maryland voters to check "uncommitted" on their Democratic Primary ballot. Inspired by the recent showing of "uncommitted" during Michigan's Democratic Presidential Primary, she is determined to find a way to have the Biden Administration hear their concerns.
The effort in Maryland continues a trend seen throughout the country this presidential primary season. Fifteen states so far have seen "uncommitted" get more than 10% of the vote against President Biden.
"People are really surprised there is this option and those who are for a cease-fire are like 'definitely we'll be on board and we'll tell more friends of ours this is an option,'" said Zuberi.
The Maryland State Board of Elections has readily available statistics on primary elections including "uncommitted" dating back to 2008. With fifteen choices on the Democratic Primary ballot in 2020, "uncommitted" came in fourth place at 2.3% behind Biden, Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren.
In 2012, the year President Obama ran unopposed for the Democratic nomination, 11.5% of Maryland voters selected "uncommitted."
Volunteers got together Tuesday night over Zoom for phone bank training. They're calling Maryland Democrats to get the word out, although some haven't been so receptive.
"We have gotten a lot of 'we stand with Israel and we believe Biden is doing great. He should do more,'" said Zuberi.
One criticism the group is working to avoid is that an "uncommitted" vote against Biden is somehow a vote for Donald Trump. Zuberi says their sole focus is this primary election, not November's general election.
"We can very safely exhibit our concern without having to worry about what happens in November," said Zuberi. "None of us are concerned that Trump is going to win in Maryland. At all."
Zuberi and other leaders of this movement are planning to be in Silver Spring on Thursday for a "Vote Uncommitted Maryland" statewide rally.
Thursday is also the first day of in-person early voting in the Maryland Primary.
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