President Joe Biden is seeking to solidify his position as the Democratic nominee for the upcoming presidential election with voting taking place in Wyoming and Alaska. Despite being two of the least populated states, these votes are significant for the Democratic primary process. Biden effectively secured the nomination back in March and is expected to face former President Donald Trump in the general election.
In Alaska, Democrats are holding a preference poll through a voice vote at in-person and virtual district meetings. Biden is the only candidate on the ballot after another contender, Dean Phillips, dropped out of the race last month. The polling was initially planned to be held through a ranked vote election by mail, but changes were made due to the limited number of candidates. Alaska will allocate 15 pledged delegates based on the outcome of Saturday’s vote.
Wyoming’s Democrats are conducting county caucuses to determine which presidential candidate will receive the state’s 17 national delegates. The winner of the presidential poll will receive the first-round vote of all 17 Wyoming delegates at the national convention. If further rounds of voting are required, the delegates will then have the freedom to vote for any candidate. The state’s other four “automatic” national delegates, including the party chairman and vice-chair, have not yet pledged their support for any specific candidate.
The Democratic National Committee approved changes to the election plans in Alaska due to the lack of candidates on the ballot. Only Biden and Phillips were initially qualified, but with Phillips dropping out, Biden became the sole candidate. The organization of the vote with just one candidate was done to ensure inclusivity and avoid any perception of bias from party leaders. Wyoming’s county caucuses will also determine who will attend the state Democratic convention in June, where 13 of the national convention delegates will be selected.
President Biden’s campaign is focused on securing the Democratic nomination and preparing for a potential match-up with former President Trump in the general election. These small-state votes in Alaska and Wyoming play a crucial role in the primary process and will determine the allocation of delegates from each state. Despite the limited competition in these primaries, the outcomes will shape the path forward for the Democratic Party as they gear up for the upcoming presidential election.
The outcome of the votes in Alaska and Wyoming could further solidify President Biden’s position as the Democratic nominee and set the stage for a heated contest against former President Trump. The decision by Alaska’s Democrats to proceed with the vote despite having only one candidate on the ballot showcases their commitment to inclusivity and transparency in the nomination process. With the election season in full swing, all eyes are on the results from these smaller state primaries to see how they will impact the larger narrative of the presidential race.
