Uncommitted (voting option)

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.{{cite news |last1=Parr |first1=Jackson |url=https://doorcountypulse.com/cast-vote-know-april-5-election/ |title=Cast Your Vote: What to Know for April 5 Election |date=April 1, 2016 |access-date=February 28, 2024 |website=Door Country Pulse |archive-date=April 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240414010749/https://doorcountypulse.com/cast-vote-know-april-5-election/ |url-status=live }} 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.{{cite news |last1=Yoon |first1=Robert |last2=Ohlemacher |first2=Stephen |url=https://www.kiro7.com/news/politics/how-uncommitted-won/RTBXZ2CEXMNBWR3GZVEEDYXMJM/ |title=How 'uncommitted' won two delegates in Michigan's Democratic primary |date=February 28, 2024 |access-date=February 28, 2024 |website=KIRO |via=The AP |archive-date=May 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240511091154/https://www.kiro7.com/news/politics/how-uncommitted-won/RTBXZ2CEXMNBWR3GZVEEDYXMJM/ |url-status=live }} Under Republican National Committee rules, the local rules of state Republican parties decides how and if uncommitted receives delegates.{{cite web|last1=Opiela|first1=Eric|url=https://www.texasgop.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Texas-Delegate-Selection-Process-to-GOP-Convention.pdf|title=Texas Delegate Selection Process to Republican National Convention|access-date=February 28, 2024|website=Texas GOP|archive-date=July 5, 2022|archive-url=https://archive.today/20220705233054/https://www.texasgop.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Texas-Delegate-Selection-Process-to-GOP-Convention.pdf|url-status=live}}

{{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.{{Cite web |last=Kresnak |first=William|title=Campaign '84: Mondale has edge as Hawaii heads for 'Super Tuesday' presidential caucuses|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1984/03/09/Campaign-84-Mondale-has-edge-as-Hawaii-heads-forNEWLNSuper-Tuesday-presidential-caucuses/8968447656400/ |access-date=March 9, 2024 |website=UPI |date=March 14, 1984}} 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.{{Cite web |title=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|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1984/03/14/Hawaii-Democrats-voted-in-caucuses-by-more-than-a/3195448088400/ |access-date=March 21, 2024 |website=UPI |date=March 14, 1984}}

{{main|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.{{cite news|last=Barrett|first=Wayne|author-link=Wayne Barrett|date=April 1, 2008|title=Could the Republicans Pick the Democratic Nominee? — The Untold Story of How the GOP Rigged Florida and Michigan|work=The Huffington Post|url=https://www.commondreams.org/views/2008/04/01/could-republicans-pick-democratic-nominee-untold-story-how-gop-rigged-florida-and|url-status=live|access-date=June 3, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080607172512/http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/04/01/8025/|archive-date=June 7, 2008|via=Common Dreams}} 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.{{cite press release|title=Four Candidates Withdraw from Michigan Primary Ballot |publisher=Michigan Department of State |date=October 9, 2007 |url=http://www.michigan.gov/sos/0,1607,7-127--177580--,00.html |access-date=January 10, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080116220117/http://www.michigan.gov/sos/0%2C1607%2C7-127--177580--%2C00.html |archive-date=January 16, 2008 }} Dennis Kucinich unsuccessfully sought to remove his name from the ballot.{{cite news|last=Gorchow|first=Zachary|title=Kucinich says he'll come to Michigan after all|url=http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080103/NEWS06/801030383/1008|work=Detroit Free Press|date=January 3, 2008|access-date=January 14, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109015217/http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20080103%2FNEWS06%2F801030383%2F1008|archive-date=November 9, 2013|url-status=dead

}} Hillary Clinton and Christopher Dodd decided to remain on the ballot.{{cite news| last = Barks Hoffman| first = Kathy| title = Clinton In, 5 Dems Out of Mich. Primary | url = https://www.theguardian.com/worldlatest/story/0,,-6984389,00.html| work = Guardian Unlimited| agency = Associated Press| date = October 10, 2007| access-date = January 14, 2008| location=London}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}

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.{{cite press release|title=MDP Releases Voter Guide To Help Voters Understand Presidential Primary |publisher=Michigan Democratic Party|date=December 10, 2007|url=http://www.michigandems.com/121007prs.html |access-date=January 10, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080115115003/http://www.michigandems.com/121007prs.html |archive-date=January 15, 2008}}

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).{{Cite web |title=Michigan Primary Election Results - Election Guide 2008 - Results - The New York Times |url=https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/elections/2008/primaries/results/states/MI.html |access-date=February 28, 2024 |website=archive.nytimes.com |archive-date=July 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240702013910/https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/elections/2008/primaries/results/states/MI.html |url-status=live }}

{{See also|Gaza war protest vote movements|Uncommitted National Movement}}

File:Uncommitted vote percentage in the 2024 Democratic Party presidential primaries.svg]]

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 Gaza war.{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/michigan-democrats-organizers-urge-uncommitted-vote-feb-27-primary-2024-02-06/|title=Michigan Democrats, organizers urge 'uncommitted' vote in Feb. 27 primary|date=February 6, 2024|access-date=February 7, 2024|last=Shalal|first=Andrea|website=Reuters|archive-date=July 27, 2024|archive-url=https://archive.today/20240727050706/https://www.reuters.com/world/us/michigan-democrats-organizers-urge-uncommitted-vote-feb-27-primary-2024-02-06/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/06/us/politics/biden-michigan-israel-gaza.html|title=Group in Michigan Urges Protest Vote Against Biden Over Israel-Gaza War|date=February 6, 2024|access-date=February 7, 2024|last=Epstein|first=Reid|website=New York Times|archive-date=February 6, 2024|archive-url=https://archive.today/20240206105020/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/06/us/politics/biden-michigan-israel-gaza.html|url-status=live}} Some Armenian Americans also suggested voting uncommitted over Biden's actions involving the 2023 Azerbaijani offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh.{{cite web|url=https://armenianweekly.com/2024/02/20/why-im-voting-uncommitted-in-michigans-democratic-primary/|title=Why I'm Voting "Uncommitted" in Michigan's Democratic Primary|last=Hatsakordzian|first=Dzovinar|date=February 20, 2024|access-date=February 21, 2024|website=Armenian Weekly|archive-date=June 17, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240617222238/https://armenianweekly.com/2024/02/20/why-im-voting-uncommitted-in-michigans-democratic-primary/|url-status=live}} In Washington, the state's largest labor union, the United Food and Commercial Workers, endorsed uncommitted.{{Cite web |last=Seitz-Wald |first=Alex |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/washington-states-largest-labor-union-endorses-uncommitted-biden-rcna141139 |title=Washington state's largest labor union endorses 'uncommitted' over Biden |date=February 29, 2024 |website=NBC News |access-date=February 29, 2024 |archive-date=March 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240303062800/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/washington-states-largest-labor-union-endorses-uncommitted-biden-rcna141139 |url-status=live }}

In response, the advocacy group Democratic Majority for Israel ran ads arguing that voting "uncommitted" would weaken Biden and support Donald Trump.{{cite web|url=https://theintercept.com/2024/02/23/biden-uncommitted-israel-gaza-aipac-michigan-primary/|title=AIPAC Ally Slams "Uncommitted" Voters Warning Biden to Change Course on Gaza|date=February 23, 2024|access-date=February 27, 2024|first1=Akela|last1=Lacy|first2=Prem|last2=Thakker|website=The Intercept|archive-date=August 22, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240822032133/https://theintercept.com/2024/02/23/biden-uncommitted-israel-gaza-aipac-michigan-primary/|url-status=live}} 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".{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/michigan-democrats-express-electoral-concerns-biden-response-israel-ha-rcna140385|title=Michigan Democrats express skepticism about how their primary will play out amid anti-Biden push over Israel-Hamas war|date=February 26, 2024|access-date=February 27, 2024|first=Summer|last=Concepcion|website=NBC News|archive-date=March 3, 2024|archive-url=https://archive.today/20240303192251/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/michigan-democrats-express-electoral-concerns-biden-response-israel-ha-rcna140385|url-status=live}}

Additionally, in states like Kentucky there were calls to vote Uncommitted not related to the Israel-Hamas War, but instead due to a sentiment amongst more centrist Democrats that Biden had gone too far left with his support for the Build Back Better initiative, something that neighboring Democratic Senator Joe Manchin opposed.{{Cite web |last=Cochrane, Edmondson |first=Emily, Catie |date=December 19, 2021 |title=Manchin Pulls Support From Biden’s Social Policy Bill, Imperiling Its Passage |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/19/us/politics/manchin-build-back-better.html |url-status=live |access-date=January 23, 2024 |website=New York Times}} In the end, Kentucky received the most Uncommitted votes of any state, obtaining 17.9%, and winning a majority in a number of counties primarily located in the more rural eastern half of the state.{{Cite web |last=Horn |first=Austin |date=May 23, 2024 |title=Why 18% “uncommitted” vote in Kentucky’s primary is more about Biden than Gaza |url=https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article288664045.html |url-status=live |access-date=January 23, 2024 |website=Lexington Herald Leader}}{{Cite web |last=Askarinam |first=Leah |date=May 17, 2024 |title=AP Decision Notes: What to expect in Kentucky's primaries |url=https://www.wpsdlocal6.com/news/ap-decision-notes-what-to-expect-in-kentuckys-primaries/article_235b3488-149c-11ef-8c8a-6b8774441587.html |url-status=live |access-date=January 23, 2024 |website=WPSD Local}}

Michigan received the second-most, 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).{{cite news |title=Michigan Democratic Primary Election Results |work=The New York Times |date=February 27, 2024 |access-date=February 27, 2024 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/02/27/us/elections/results-michigan-democratic-presidential-primary.html |archive-date=February 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240228022539/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/02/27/us/elections/results-michigan-democratic-presidential-primary.html |url-status=live }} 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).{{cite web |last1=Bailey |first1=Phillip M. |title=Joe Biden faces toughest opponent yet — 'uncommitted' in Michigan primary: 5 takeaways |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/02/27/biden-uncommitted-michigan-primary-5-takeaways/72696482007/ |website=USA Today |access-date=29 February 2024 |archive-date=July 6, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240706004427/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/02/27/biden-uncommitted-michigan-primary-5-takeaways/72696482007/ |url-status=live }} In Minnesota, uncommitted received an even larger share of the vote, at 18.9%, while Biden was cut short to 70.6%.{{cite web|last=Simon|first=Steve|title=Unofficial Results Tuesday, March 5, 2024|website=OFFICE OF THE MINNESOTA SECRETARY OF STATE STEVE SIMON|date=March 6, 2024|url=https://electionresults.sos.mn.gov/Results/Index?ersElectionId=162&scenario=PresidentPnp&electionDate=3%2F5%2F2024%2012%3A00%3A00%20AM|access-date=December 28, 2024|archive-date=April 19, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240419091941/https://electionresults.sos.mn.gov/Results/Index?ersElectionId=162&scenario=PresidentPnp&electionDate=3%2F5%2F2024%2012%3A00%3A00%20AM|url-status=live}}

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

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

• Alabama{{cite web|url=https://www.sos.alabama.gov/alabama-votes/2024-primary-election-sample-ballots|title=2024 Primary Election Sample Ballots|access-date=February 28, 2024|website=Alabama Secretary of State}}
• American Samoa{{cite web|url=https://asdems.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/DRAFT-American-Samoa-2024-Delegate-Selection-Plan.pdf|title=AMERICAN SAMOA DELEGATE SELECTION PLAN|access-date=February 28, 2024|website=American Samoa Dems}}
• Colorado (Democratic primary only, as Noncommitted Delegate){{cite web|url=https://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/vote/presidentialPrimaryCandidates.html|title=2024 Presidential Primary Candidate List|access-date=February 28, 2024|website=Colorado Secretary of State|archive-date=November 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125032959/https://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/vote/presidentialPrimaryCandidates.html|url-status=dead}}
• Democrats Abroad (Democratic primary only){{cite web |title=Democrats Abroad Democratic Delegation 2024 |url=https://www.thegreenpapers.com/P24/DA-D |website=The Green Papers |access-date=March 7, 2024}}
• Connecticut{{cite news |last1=Mancini |first1=Ryan |title=What states can you vote 'uncommitted' or 'no preference' in the 2024 primaries? |url=https://www.masslive.com/politics/2024/03/what-states-can-you-vote-uncommitted-or-no-preference-in-the-2024-primaries.html |access-date=March 7, 2024 |work=MassLive |date=March 5, 2024}}
• Hawaii (Democratic caucuses only){{cite web |title=Hawaii Democratic Delegation 2024 |url=https://www.thegreenpapers.com/P24/HI-D |website=The Green Papers |access-date=March 7, 2024}}
• Idaho (Democratic caucuses only){{cite web |title=Idaho Democratic Delegation 2024 |url=https://www.thegreenpapers.com/P24/ID-D |website=The Green Papers |access-date=March 7, 2024}}
• Iowa (Democratic party-run primary only){{cite web|last=Gruber-Miller|first=Stephen|url=https://news.yahoo.com/iowa-democrats-put-3-presidential-175710967.html|title=Iowa Democrats put 3 presidential candidates' names on mail-in caucus cards. Who's named|date=December 2, 2023|access-date=February 28, 2024|website=Yahoo! News|via=The Des Moines Register|archive-date=January 16, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116232825/https://news.yahoo.com/iowa-democrats-put-3-presidential-175710967.html|url-status=live}}
• Kansas (as None of the names shown){{cite web |title=Eight Candidates File for the Kansas Presidential Preference Primary |url=https://sos.ks.gov/media/press-releases/2024/01-19-24-eight-candidates-file-for-the-kansas-presidential-preference-primary.html |publisher=Kansas Secretary of State |access-date=March 7, 2024 |archive-date=February 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240228152034/https://sos.ks.gov/media/press-releases/2024/01-19-24-eight-candidates-file-for-the-kansas-presidential-preference-primary.html |url-status=live }}
• Kentucky{{cite web|url=https://assets-global.website-files.com/645ffb7b8897146b22c79255/65c10a961c9ac31bd494d91f_Full%20Compliance%20KY%20DSP%209.21%20(1).pdf|title=KENTUCKY DELEGATE SELECTION PLAN|access-date=February 28, 2024|website=KY Democrats|archive-date=February 28, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240228234744/https://assets-global.website-files.com/645ffb7b8897146b22c79255/65c10a961c9ac31bd494d91f_Full%20Compliance%20KY%20DSP%209.21%20(1).pdf|url-status=live}}
• Maryland
• Massachusetts (as No Preference){{cite web|last1=Cole|last2=Creamer|last3=DeCosta-Klipa|first1=Katie|first2=Lisa|first3=Nik|url=https://www.wbur.org/news/2024/02/26/voter-guide-super-tuesday-presidential-primary-election|title=Voter guide: Super Tuesday primary elections in Massachusetts|date=February 26, 2024|access-date=February 28, 2024|website=WBUR|archive-date=February 27, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240227230848/https://www.wbur.org/news/2024/02/26/voter-guide-super-tuesday-presidential-primary-election|url-status=live}}
• Michigan
• Minnesota (Democratic primary only){{cite web|last1=Bakst|first1=Brian|url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2024/02/27/minnesota-super-tuesday-how-to-vote-presidential-primary|title=Minnesota is part of Super Tuesday voting. Here's how to cast a ballot|date=February 27, 2024|access-date=February 28, 2024|website=MPR News}}
• Missouri{{cite web|url=https://irp.cdn-website.com/022fb584/files/uploaded/FINAL%202024%20MDP%20Delegate%20Selection%20Plan%20(DNC%20Revisions).docx-1.pdf|title=MISSOURI DELEGATE SELECTION PLAN FOR THE 2024 DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION|access-date=February 28, 2024|website=Missouri Democrats}}
• Montana (as No Preference){{cite web|url=https://www.montanademocrats.org/news/montana-democrats-adopt-2024-presidential-delegate-selection-plan|title=Montana Democrats Adopt 2024 Presidential Delegate Selection Plan|date=May 4, 2023|access-date=February 28, 2024|website=Montana Democrats|archive-date=February 28, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240228234745/https://www.montanademocrats.org/news/montana-democrats-adopt-2024-presidential-delegate-selection-plan|url-status=live}}
• Nevada (as None of these candidates){{cite web |title=Nevada Democratic Delegation 2024 |url=https://www.thegreenpapers.com/P24/NV-D |website=The Green Papers |access-date=March 7, 2024 |archive-date=August 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240802012917/https://www.thegreenpapers.com/P24/NV-D |url-status=live }}
• New Jersey (Democratic primary only){{cite web|url=https://www.njdems.org/dsp-2024/|title=Proposed 2024 Delegate Selection Plan|access-date=February 28, 2024|website=New Jersey Democrats|archive-date=February 16, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240216093051/https://www.njdems.org/dsp-2024/|url-status=live}}
• New Mexico (as Uncommitted delegate){{cite web|url=https://www.nmdemocrats.org/bylaws|title=Governing Documents|access-date=February 28, 2024|website=New Mexico Democrats}}
• North Carolina (as No Preference)
• Rhode Island{{cite web|url=https://vote.sos.ri.gov/Forms/Elections/Guides/DelegatePlanDem.pdf|title=Rhode Island DELEGATE SELECTION PLAN|access-date=February 28, 2024|website=Rhode Island Secretary of State|archive-date=February 28, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240228234745/https://vote.sos.ri.gov/Forms/Elections/Guides/DelegatePlanDem.pdf|url-status=live}}
• Tennessee{{cite web|url=https://dev-tndp2021.pantheonsite.io/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2024-DSP-08.31.23-v7.pdf|title=Tennessee DELEGATE SELECTION PLAN|access-date=February 28, 2024|website=Tennessee Democrats}}
• Texas (Republican primary only){{cite web |title=Texas Republican Delegation 2024 |url=https://www.thegreenpapers.com/P24/TX-R |website=The Green Papers |access-date=March 7, 2024}}
• U.S. Virgin Islands
• Washington (Democratic primary only){{cite web|url=https://www.wa-democrats.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2024-DSAAP-Proposed-3-29-23.pdf|title=Washington DELEGATE SELECTION PLAN|access-date=February 28, 2024|website=Washington Democrats}}
• Wisconsin (as Uninstructed Delegation){{cite web|url=https://wisdems.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2024-Wisconsin-Delegate-Selection-Plan-FINAL.pdf|title=Wisconsin DELEGATE SELECTION PLAN|access-date=February 28, 2024|website=Washington Democrats}}
• Wyoming (as Undeclared)

• None of the above
• None of These Candidates
• Protest vote

{{reflist}}

Category:Voting in the United States