New Mexico uncommitted vote doubles since last democratic primary

On Tuesday, June 4, in the New Mexico primary elections, 10% of registered democrats voted “uncommitted” for their chosen presidential candidate. This was about double the number of those who voted uncommitted in the 2020 primary elections.

The elections coincided with a national movement to vote uncommitted due to President Joe Biden's administration’s policies on Israel, according to Rhi Mauldin, a volunteer at the campaign Vote Uncommitted New Mexico. This movement contributed significantly to the rise in uncommitted voters this election, Mauldin said.

Those who vote uncommitted exercise their right to vote without committing to any candidate listed on the ballot.

“The idea, to me, of (voting) uncommitted is that if you don't hear the cries from Palestine, then we are going to do something that's louder, and that is placing political pressure,” Mauldin said.

Since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war on Oct. 7, 2023, the U.S. has provided at least $12.5 billion in military aid to Israel, according to the Council on Foreign Relations. Biden was called the “most pro-Israel president ever,” by Time Magazine in November 2023.

As of June 6, at least 36,654 people have been killed in Gaza, according to Al Jazeera.

“This is a deeply unpopular position that Biden and the Democratic (party) are holding, and they need to listen to the base. They need to do that because if they don't listen to us, and if they continue with unpopular policies, they're going to lose. And it's not going to be because of us. It's not going to be because of the voters, it is because of what they are doing,” Mauldin said.

35% of U.S. adults somewhat or strongly oppose the U.S. providing military aid to Israel, according to a Pew Research Center survey.

Community member Josh Lopez-Binder voted uncommitted on June 4, describing the vote as a “protest vote” against Biden’s response to the Israel-Hamas war.

Another community member and uncommitted voter, Rose Clements, said they will not vote for Biden in the Nov. 5 presidential election. Clements was a registered independent, but re-registered as a democrat before the primary to vote uncommitted.

“I can't see myself voting for somebody who bombs children, and that's both of the people we have as options. So for right now, I would say I don't plan to vote in the presidential election,” Clements said.

About 231,000 New Mexicans cast their ballots on June 4. Biden received 84% of the democratic vote, compared to democratic challenger Marianne Williamson’s 7%.

“Democrats are so scared right now that they're going to lose (voters) because of Palestine. And they should be scared … I think the loudest thing that we're saying here is that fear isn't enough,” Mauldin said.

Lily Alexander is the editor-in-chief of the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at editorinchief@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @llilyalexander

Nate Bernard is a beat reporter with the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at news@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @DailyLobo

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