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Uncommitted (voting option)

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"Uncommitted" is a voting option in some United States presidential primaries. This option is listed along with the names of individuals running for the position and is often described as "none of the above".[1] Depending on state and party thresholds, voting uncommitted may allow states to send uncommitted delegates to a party's nominating convention.[2]

Process

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In the United States, voting in a presidential primary instructs party delegates who to vote for in the nominating convention. By voting uncommitted, you simply do not give an instruction to your delegates.[3] Under Democratic National Committee rules, uncommitted receives delegates if the option receives more than 15% of the statewide vote or more than 15% of the vote in a congressional district.[4] Under Republican National Committee rules, the local rules of state Republican parties decides how and if uncommitted receives delegates.[5]

Notable campaigns

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1984: Hawaii

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See also: 1984 United States presidential election in Hawaii § Democratic caucus

After only Walter Mondale and Jesse Jackson made the ballot for the Hawaii Democratic caucus in 1984, Presidential candidate Gary Hart and Hawaii governor George Ariyoshi urged voters to vote uncommitted.[6] Uncommitted ended up winning the caucus with 63.5% of the vote, receiving 14 delegates. Mondale received 32.3% of the vote and 5 delegates. Jackson received 4.2% of the vote.[7]

2008: Michigan

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Main article: 2008 Michigan Democratic presidential primary

Federal Democratic Party rules prohibit any state, except for Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina from holding its primary before February 5, or Super Tuesday. In October 2007, the divided Michigan Legislature passed a bill to move the date of the state's presidential primaries to January 15 in an effort to increase the state's influence in the presidential candidate nominating process.[8] On October 9, 2007, following Michigan's breach of DNC rules, Barack Obama, Bill Richardson, Joe Biden, and John Edwards withdrew from the Michigan Democratic Primary ballot.[9] Dennis Kucinich unsuccessfully sought to remove his name from the ballot.[10] Hillary Clinton and Christopher Dodd decided to remain on the ballot.[11]

On December 10, 2007, the Michigan Democratic Party issued a press release stating that the primary would be held on January 15, 2008. The press release also urged supporters of Biden, Edwards, Obama and Richardson to vote "uncommitted" instead of writing in their preferred candidates' names.[12]

In the end, Hillary Clinton received 54.61% of the vote (328,309 votes), uncommitted received 39.61% of the vote (238,168 votes), while other candidates received 5.78% of the vote (34,742 votes).[13]

2024: Michigan, Minnesota, Washington, Massachusetts, Hawaii, Missouri, Rhode Island, New Jersey and Kentucky

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See also: Israel–Hamas war protest vote movements and Uncommitted National Movement

During the 2024 Michigan Democratic presidential primary, 2024 Minnesota Democratic presidential primary and 2024 Washington Democratic presidential primary, numerous activists and elected officials, including Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud and House Representative Rashida Tlaib, campaigned for voters to select the uncommitted option in protest of Biden's handling of the Israel–Hamas war.[14][15] Some Armenian Americans also suggested voting uncommitted over Biden's actions involving the 2023 Azerbaijani offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh.[16] In Washington, the state's largest labor union, the United Food and Commercial Workers, endorsed uncommitted.[17]

In response, the advocacy group Democratic Majority for Israel ran ads arguing that voting "uncommitted" would weaken Biden and support Donald Trump.[18] Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer stated that although she acknowledges the "pain" people feel about the war, she still encouraged people to vote for Biden because "any vote that's not cast for Joe Biden supports a second Trump term".[19]

In the end, in Michigan, Joe Biden received 81.1% of the vote (618,426 votes), uncommitted received 13.3% of the vote (101,100 votes), while other candidates received 5.7% of the vote (43,171 votes).[20] The uncommitted share exceeded that against Barack Obama in 2012, the most recent prior re-election campaign of a Democratic president (though in 2012 it was a caucus rather than a primary).[21] In Minnesota, uncommitted received an even larger share of the vote, at 18.9%, while Biden was cut short to 70.6%.[22]

Notable results since 2008

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The following lists presidential primaries since 2008 where uncommitted received more than 5% of the popular vote:

2008

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Primary Primary winner Votes Percentage of popular vote Uncommitted Delegates Reference
Michigan Democratic primary Hillary Clinton 238,168 39.61% 0 [23]
U.S. Virgin Islands Republican caucus John McCain 153 47.2% 6 [24]
Kentucky Republican primary 10,755 5.44% 0 [25]
Idaho Republican primary 8,325 6.63% 1 [26]

2012

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Primary Primary winner Votes Percentage of popular vote Uncommitted Delegates Reference
Michigan Democratic primary Barack Obama 20,833 10.69% 20 [27]
Massachusetts Democratic primary 16,075 10.87% 26 [28][29]
Tennessee Democratic primary 10,497 11.51% 9 [30]
Alabama Democratic primary 45,613 15.91% 8 [31]
Maryland Democratic primary 37,704 11.55% 3 [32]
Rhode Island Democratic primary 1,133 13.98% 8 [33]
North Carolina Democratic primary 200,810 20.77% 43 [34]
Kentucky Democratic primary 86,925 42.15% 34 [35]
Montana Democratic primary 8,306 9.46% 7 [36]
U.S. Virgin Islands Republican caucus Ron Paul 132 33.85% 0 [37]
North Carolina Republican primary Mitt Romney 50,928 5.23% 0 [38]
Kentucky Republican primary 10,357 5.88% 0 [35]
South Dakota Republican primary 2,797 5.43% 0 [39]

2016

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Primary Primary winner Votes Percentage of popular vote Uncommitted Delegates Reference
U.S. Virgin Islands Republican caucus Ted Cruz 1,063 65.3% 1 [40]
Northern Mariana Islands Democratic caucus Hillary Clinton 22 11.64% 0 [41]
Kentucky Democratic primary 24,104 5.30% 0 [42]

2020

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Primary Primary winner Votes Percentage of popular vote Uncommitted Delegates Reference
Kentucky Democratic primary Joe Biden 58,364 10.85% 2 [43]
Montana Republican primary Donald Trump 13,184 6.18% 0 [44]
New Mexico Republican primary 13,809 8.75% 0 [45]
Kentucky Republican primary 57,283 13.35% 0 [46]
Connecticut Republican primary 12,994 14.21% 0 [47]

2024

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Primary Primary winner Votes Percentage of popular vote Uncommitted Delegates Reference
Nevada Republican primary Nikki Haley 50,763 63.30% 0 [48]
Kansas Republican primary Donald Trump 4,886 5.2% 0 [49]
Nevada Democratic primary Joe Biden 7,448 5.81% 0 [50]
Michigan Democratic primary 101,436 13.21% 2 [51]
Alabama Democratic primary 11,213 6% 0 [52]
Colorado Democratic primary 43,439 8.1% 0 [53]
Massachusetts Democratic primary 58,462 9.4% 1 [54]
Minnesota Democratic primary 45,913 18.9% 11 [55]
North Carolina Democratic primary 88,021 12.7% 0 [56]
Tennessee Democratic primary 10,464 7.9% 0 [57]
Hawaii Democratic caucuses 455 29.1% 7 [58]
Democrats Abroad primary 1,136 13.2% 0 [59]
Washington Democratic primary 89,753 9.8% 2 [60]
Kansas Democratic primary 4,286 10.3% 0 [61]
Missouri Democratic primary 2,229 11.7% 3 [62]
Connecticut Democratic primary 7,492 11.5% 0 [63]
Rhode Island Democratic primary 3,732 14.9% 1 [64]
Wisconsin Democratic primary 48,162 8.3% 0 [65]
Maryland Democratic primary 63,743 9.7% 0 [66]
Kentucky Democratic primary 32,908 17.9% 8 [67]
New Jersey Democratic primary 43,758 8.9% 1 [68]

Presidential nominating contests with uncommitted options

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As of 2024, the following jurisdictions have uncommitted presidential nominating contest voting options:

  • Alabama[69]
  • American Samoa[70]
  • Colorado (Democratic primary only, as Noncommitted Delegate)[71]
  • Democrats Abroad (Democratic primary only)[72]
  • Connecticut[73]
  • Hawaii (Democratic caucuses only)[74]
  • Idaho (Democratic caucuses only)[75]
  • Iowa (Democratic party-run primary only)[76]
  • Kansas (as None of the names shown)[77]
  • Kentucky[78]
  • Maryland[73]
  • Massachusetts (as No Preference)[79]
  • Michigan[73]
  • Minnesota (Democratic primary only)[80]
  • Missouri[81]
  • Montana (as No Preference)[82]
  • Nevada (as None of these candidates)[83]
  • New Jersey (Democratic primary only)[84]
  • New Mexico (as Uncommitted delegate)[85]
  • North Carolina (as No Preference)[73]
  • Rhode Island[86]
  • Tennessee[87]
  • Texas (Republican primary only)[88]
  • U.S. Virgin Islands[73]
  • Washington (Democratic primary only)[89]
  • Wisconsin (as Uninstructed Delegation)[90]
  • Wyoming (as Undeclared)[73]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Ables, Kelsey; Jeong, Andrew (February 28, 2024). "Over 100,000 Michigan primary votes were 'uncommitted.' What does that mean?". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  2. ^ Cullen, Margie (February 27, 2024). "What does 'uncommitted' mean in the Michigan primary?". USA Today. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  3. ^ Parr, Jackson (April 1, 2016). "Cast Your Vote: What to Know for April 5 Election". Door Country Pulse. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  4. ^ Yoon, Robert; Ohlemacher, Stephen (February 28, 2024). "How 'uncommitted' won two delegates in Michigan's Democratic primary". KIRO. Retrieved February 28, 2024 – via The AP.
  5. ^ Opiela, Eric. "Texas Delegate Selection Process to Republican National Convention" (PDF). Texas GOP. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  6. ^ Kresnak, William (March 14, 1984). "Campaign '84: Mondale has edge as Hawaii heads for 'Super Tuesday' presidential caucuses". UPI. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  7. ^ "Hawaii Democrats voted in caucuses by more than a 2-1 ratio to send most of their 27 delegates to the Democratic National Convention uncommitted to any candidate". UPI. March 14, 1984. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  8. ^ Barrett, Wayne (April 1, 2008). "Could the Republicans Pick the Democratic Nominee? — The Untold Story of How the GOP Rigged Florida and Michigan". The Huffington Post. Archived from the original on June 7, 2008. Retrieved June 3, 2008 – via Common Dreams.
  9. ^ "Four Candidates Withdraw from Michigan Primary Ballot" (Press release). Michigan Department of State. October 9, 2007. Archived from the original on January 16, 2008. Retrieved January 10, 2008.
  10. ^ Gorchow, Zachary (January 3, 2008). "Kucinich says he'll come to Michigan after all". Detroit Free Press. Archived from the original on November 9, 2013. Retrieved January 14, 2008.
  11. ^ Barks Hoffman, Kathy (October 10, 2007). "Clinton In, 5 Dems Out of Mich. Primary". Guardian Unlimited. London. Associated Press. Retrieved January 14, 2008. [dead link]
  12. ^ "MDP Releases Voter Guide To Help Voters Understand Presidential Primary" (Press release). Michigan Democratic Party. December 10, 2007. Archived from the original on January 15, 2008. Retrieved January 10, 2008.
  13. ^ "Michigan Primary Election Results - Election Guide 2008 - Results - The New York Times". archive.nytimes.com. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  14. ^ Shalal, Andrea (February 6, 2024). "Michigan Democrats, organizers urge 'uncommitted' vote in Feb. 27 primary". Reuters. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
  15. ^ Epstein, Reid (February 6, 2024). "Group in Michigan Urges Protest Vote Against Biden Over Israel-Gaza War". New York Times. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
  16. ^ Hatsakordzian, Dzovinar (February 20, 2024). "Why I'm Voting "Uncommitted" in Michigan's Democratic Primary". Armenian Weekly. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
  17. ^ Seitz-Wald, Alex (February 29, 2024). "Washington state's largest labor union endorses 'uncommitted' over Biden". NBC News. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  18. ^ Lacy, Akela; Thakker, Prem (February 23, 2024). "AIPAC Ally Slams "Uncommitted" Voters Warning Biden to Change Course on Gaza". The Intercept. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  19. ^ Concepcion, Summer (February 26, 2024). "Michigan Democrats express skepticism about how their primary will play out amid anti-Biden push over Israel-Hamas war". NBC News. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  20. ^ "Michigan Democratic Primary Election Results". The New York Times. February 27, 2024. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  21. ^ Bailey, Phillip M. "Joe Biden faces toughest opponent yet — 'uncommitted' in Michigan primary: 5 takeaways". USA Today. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  22. ^ Simon, Steve (March 6, 2024). "Unofficial Results Tuesday, March 5, 2024". OFFICE OF THE MINNESOTA SECRETARY OF STATE STEVE SIMON.
  23. ^ "Michigan Primary Election Results - Election Guide 2008 - Results - The New York Times". archive.nytimes.com. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  24. ^ "Virgin Islands Territorial Meeting Results - Election Guide 2008 - Results - The New York Times". www.nytimes.com. Retrieved September 9, 2022.
  25. ^ "Kentucky Republican". www.thegreenpapers.com. The Green Papers. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
  26. ^ Election Center 2008: Primary Results for Idaho
  27. ^ "2012 Official Michigan Presidential Primary Election Results - President of the United States 4 Year Term (1) Position". Archived from the original on May 2, 2012. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
  28. ^ "PD43+ » 2012 President Democratic Primary". PD43+. Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
  29. ^ "Massachusetts Democratic Delegation 2012". www.thegreenpapers.com. The Green Papers. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
  30. ^ "State of Tennessee Democratic presidential primary" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on February 12, 2017. Retrieved September 17, 2016.
  31. ^ Kennedy, H. Mark (April 6, 2012). "Democratic Party Primary Results Recertification" (PDF). Secretary of State of Alabama. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  32. ^ "Maryland Democrat". The Green Papers. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
  33. ^ "Rhode Island Democrat". The Green Papers. Retrieved November 14, 2012.
  34. ^ "NC - Election Results". results.enr.clarityelections.com. Retrieved September 18, 2016.
  35. ^ a b "Kentucky Secretary of State" (PDF). elect.ky.gov. May 22, 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 1, 2021. Retrieved June 19, 2016.
  36. ^ "Montana Democrat". The Green Papers. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
  37. ^ Schoenbohm, Herb (March 10, 2012). "U.S. Virgin Islands - Official GOP". Vigop.com. Retrieved July 19, 2012.
  38. ^ "North Carolina Republican". The Green Papers. Retrieved November 14, 2012.
  39. ^ "Secretary of State - Statewide Races". Electionresults.sd.gov. Retrieved July 19, 2012.
  40. ^ "U.S. Virgin Islands | Decision Desk HQ". Archived from the original on March 30, 2016. Retrieved March 26, 2016.
  41. ^ The Green Papers
  42. ^ Kentucky Secretary of State
  43. ^ "Official 2020 PRIMARY ELECTION Results" (PDF). Commonwealth of Kentucky Secretary of State. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
  44. ^ The Green Papers Montana 2020
  45. ^ The Green Papers New Mexico 2020
  46. ^ The Green Papers Kentucky 2020
  47. ^ "Connecticut Presidential Republican Primary Election Results". The New York Times. August 11, 2020. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  48. ^ Korecki, Natasha (February 6, 2024). "Nikki Haley loses to 'none of these candidates' in the Nevada GOP primary". NBC News. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
  49. ^ "Kansas Republican Primary Election Results". New York Times. March 19, 2024.
  50. ^ "Nevada Democrat Presidential Nominating Process". thegreenpapers.com. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
  51. ^ "Michigan Democratic Primary Election Results". The New York Times. February 28, 2024. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  52. ^ "Alabama Democratic Primary Election Results". The New York Times. March 5, 2024.
  53. ^ "Colorado Democratic Primary Election Results". The New York Times. March 5, 2024.
  54. ^ "Massachusetts Democratic Primary Election Results". The New York Times. March 5, 2024.
  55. ^ "Minnesota Democratic Primary Election Results". The New York Times. March 5, 2024.
  56. ^ "North Carolina Democratic Primary Election Results". The New York Times. March 5, 2024.
  57. ^ "Tennessee Democratic Primary Election Results". The New York Times. March 5, 2024.
  58. ^ "Hawaii Democratic Primary Election Results". The New York Times. March 7, 2024.
  59. ^ "Democratic Presidential Primaries: Democrats Abroad". CNN. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
  60. ^ "March 12, 2024 Presidential Primary Results". Washington Secretary of State. March 23, 2024. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
  61. ^ "Kansas Democratic Primary Election Results". New York Times. March 19, 2024.
  62. ^ "Missouri Presidential Primary". The AP. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  63. ^ "Connecticut Presidential Primary". The AP. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
  64. ^ "Rhode Island Presidential Primary". The AP. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
  65. ^ "Wisconsin Presidential Primary". The AP. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
  66. ^ "Maryland Presidential Primary Election Results 2024". NBC News. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  67. ^ "Kentucky Presidential Primary". The AP. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
  68. ^ "New Jersey Primary Election Results". New York Times. June 5, 2024. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
  69. ^ "2024 Primary Election Sample Ballots". Alabama Secretary of State. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  70. ^ "AMERICAN SAMOA DELEGATE SELECTION PLAN" (PDF). American Samoa Dems. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  71. ^ "2024 Presidential Primary Candidate List". Colorado Secretary of State. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  72. ^ "Democrats Abroad Democratic Delegation 2024". The Green Papers. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
  73. ^ a b c d e f Mancini, Ryan (March 5, 2024). "What states can you vote 'uncommitted' or 'no preference' in the 2024 primaries?". MassLive. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
  74. ^ "Hawaii Democratic Delegation 2024". The Green Papers. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
  75. ^ "Idaho Democratic Delegation 2024". The Green Papers. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
  76. ^ Gruber-Miller, Stephen (December 2, 2023). "Iowa Democrats put 3 presidential candidates' names on mail-in caucus cards. Who's named". Yahoo! News. Retrieved February 28, 2024 – via The Des Moines Register.
  77. ^ "Eight Candidates File for the Kansas Presidential Preference Primary". Kansas Secretary of State. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
  78. ^ "KENTUCKY DELEGATE SELECTION PLAN" (PDF). KY Democrats. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  79. ^ Cole, Katie; Creamer, Lisa; DeCosta-Klipa, Nik (February 26, 2024). "Voter guide: Super Tuesday primary elections in Massachusetts". WBUR. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  80. ^ Bakst, Brian (February 27, 2024). "Minnesota is part of Super Tuesday voting. Here's how to cast a ballot". MPR News. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  81. ^ "MISSOURI DELEGATE SELECTION PLAN FOR THE 2024 DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION" (PDF). Missouri Democrats. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  82. ^ "Montana Democrats Adopt 2024 Presidential Delegate Selection Plan". Montana Democrats. May 4, 2023. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  83. ^ "Nevada Democratic Delegation 2024". The Green Papers. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
  84. ^ "Proposed 2024 Delegate Selection Plan". New Jersey Democrats. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  85. ^ "Governing Documents". New Mexico Democrats. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  86. ^ "Rhode Island DELEGATE SELECTION PLAN" (PDF). Rhode Island Secretary of State. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  87. ^ "Tennessee DELEGATE SELECTION PLAN" (PDF). Tennessee Democrats. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  88. ^ "Texas Republican Delegation 2024". The Green Papers. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
  89. ^ "Washington DELEGATE SELECTION PLAN" (PDF). Washington Democrats. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  90. ^ "Wisconsin DELEGATE SELECTION PLAN" (PDF). Washington Democrats. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
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