Biden receives primary ballot opposition in Michigan from Arab American voters

In Michigan's primary election Tuesday, Former President Donald Trump won the Republican presidential primary while President Joe Biden won the Democratic presidential primary, according to unofficial results reported by the Associated Press and posted on the WORLD Election Center 2024.

Michigan voters went to the polls in the state’s primary election amid calls for Democrats to boycott Biden. A campaign called “Listen to Michigan” in recent weeks urged citizens to vote “uncommitted” to protest Biden’s support for Israel in its war against Hamas. Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., on Feb. 17 endorsed the movement, and former Ohio state Senator Nina Turner backed the campaign over the weekend. Meanwhile, the United Auto Workers union, which has a large presence in Michigan, endorsed Biden last month. More than 100,000 votes counted by Friday afternoon had selected the uncommitted option on the Democratic ballot in Michigan.

What is the goal of the protest? Activists hoped “uncommitted” votes would demonstrate that Biden risks losing Michigan in the general election and spur him to adjust his policies on Gaza, according to the campaign. A broader movement called #AbandonBiden is also working to mobilize Muslim voters in swing states across the country to withhold support for Biden.

Why is Michigan important? The state is hosting the last primary election in the country before Super Tuesday on March 5. More than one million residents cast their primary ballots ahead of the election, said Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. The state allows citizens to participate in nine days of early in-person voting.

What about the Republican race? Polls showed that Trump led former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley by more than 48 percent. Haley vowed to stay in the race even after Trump defeated her in her home state over the weekend.

Dig deeper: Read Carolina Lumetta’s report in The Stew about how some voters want to vote for Haley but feel like Trump has a better chance of winning.