In a growing movement opposing President Biden's handling of Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza, hundreds of thousands of voters across the country cast their ballots for no candidate in Democratic primaries on Super Tuesday, instead selecting versions of "uncommitted." These protest votes reflect a push by Arab American and Muslim organizers, primarily from Southeast Michigan, to urge Biden to call for an immediate, permanent cease-fire and halt U.S. aid to Israel.

Last week's Michigan presidential primary already saw over 100,000 votes for the "uncommitted" choice on the ballot, following a three-week campaign led by passionate young organizers. The movement quickly gained momentum, with organizers in states including Minnesota, North Carolina, Colorado, and Massachusetts launching last-minute efforts to encourage voters to cast protest votes.

In Minnesota, where the movement gained significant traction, the uncommitted option received nearly 46,000 votes, granting it five delegates at the Democratic National Convention. This brings the delegate count for "uncommitted" to seven, following the two delegates awarded in Michigan. It is important to note that not every state has an uncommitted or no-preference option on their ballot.

Despite the impactful protest votes, President Biden emerged as the winner in all the primary states that offered an uncommitted option on their ballots. In Minnesota, he received over 171,000 votes and 71% of the vote share, while uncommitted received 19%. The Biden campaign reacted to the movement, stating that the President believes in making voices heard and participating in democracy.

The organizers behind the cease-fire movement cite these results as a win, as they aim to create meaningful change and urge Biden to shift his policies in handling the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. While the protests have not influenced the primary outcomes, organizers believe that these votes send a strong message and may impact the highly competitive race between Biden and former President Donald Trump in the general election.

The Biden administration remains committed to supporting Israel's right to defend itself from Hamas. However, critics argue that the continuous bombardment has led to significant civilian casualties, with over 30,000 Palestinians killed, mostly women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The United Nations has also highlighted the widespread hunger and growing malnutrition in the region.

Despite the momentum gained by the cease-fire movement, some voters still turned out to cast protest votes in states with smaller movements, such as North Carolina. The "no preference" option received over 88,000 votes, accounting for about 13% of the vote, compared to Biden's 606,000 votes, or about 87%. In 2012, during then-President Barack Obama's re-election campaign, "no preference" received over 200,000 votes, representing about 21% of the vote.

The movement has resonated with various demographics, including students. At North Carolina State University, students marched in support of the Palestinian people, expressing their disappointment in Biden's policies and planning to vote no-preference as a form of protest.

Looking ahead, the cease-fire supporters in Georgia have launched "The Listen to Georgia Coalition," urging voters to submit a blank ballot in protest during the upcoming March 12 primary. The group warns that Biden must take concrete action to advocate for an end to the violence in Gaza to avoid risking the 2024 presidential election.

Georgia will be a critical state for both Democrats and Republicans in the fall, as Biden won it by a narrow margin of 12,000 votes in 2020. As the cease-fire movement gains momentum, its impact on the political landscape remains to be seen.