The upcoming Democratic primary in Wisconsin presents an opportunity for progressives to send a message to President Joe Biden, particularly in response to his handling of the conflict between Israel and Hamas. Young activists in Wisconsin are leading the movement to vote “uninstructed” as a way to express their dissatisfaction with the administration’s response to the situation in Gaza. The Listen to Wisconsin campaign aims to convince 20,000 voters to cast their Democratic primary ballots for “uninstructed,” signaling that Biden cannot take their support for granted in future elections.
Young voters in Democratic strongholds such as Madison and Milwaukee were crucial to Biden’s victory in Wisconsin and the Electoral College in 2020. Halah Ahmad, a Palestinian American activist and spokesperson for Listen to Wisconsin, has been working with a group of elected officials, students, and grassroots organizations to promote the uninstructed movement. Progressives in states like Wisconsin are using the “uncommitted,” “uninstructed,” or “no preference” option on the ballot to voice their opposition to Biden’s policies toward Gaza, as seen in the recent primary in Michigan where over 101,000 voters chose “uncommitted.”
While Biden is expected to win the Wisconsin primary and the Democratic nomination in 2024, the uninstructed campaign is intended to put pressure on the administration and the Democratic Party to reassess their stance on the Gaza conflict. Recent polls have indicated a shift in public opinion against Israel’s military actions in Gaza, particularly among Democrats. Younger voters, in particular, have shown greater disapproval of Israel’s actions in Gaza, leading to increased support for the uninstructed campaign in Wisconsin.
Efforts to educate voters about the uninstructed option on the ballot have been led by younger activists, such as graduate student Dahlia Saba at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Organizing grassroots campaigns and engaging in phone banks, these activists are mobilizing support for the uninstructed movement. Events in Milwaukee and Madison have attracted advocates and allies from various age groups and backgrounds, highlighting the diverse coalition supporting the campaign.
Critics who argue that any vote against Biden is a vote for Trump are dismissed by activists involved in the uninstructed campaign. They emphasize the need to focus on the current situation in Gaza and the impact of US policies on the conflict. The potential loss of support from young liberal voters and their impact on future elections is a concern for these activists, who believe that a failure to address their grievances could lead to consequences for the Democratic Party in the long term.
In conclusion, the uninstructed campaign in Wisconsin is part of a broader movement by progressives to send a message to President Biden and the Democratic Party about their dissatisfaction with the handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict. Young activists are leading the charge to mobilize voters to choose “uninstructed” in the Democratic primary, highlighting their concerns about US policies in the Middle East. The campaign reflects a generational divide over the Gaza conflict and the need for the administration to address the changing attitudes among Democratic voters.
