What's 'uninstructed' on Wisconsin's ballot and its possible impact on Biden?

 

MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Next week voters will have a few options on the ballot, including what's called "uninstructed."

It's a choice that will appear on Democratic primary ballots in protest of President Joe Biden's handling of the war in Gaza.

Dahlia Saba, a University of Wisconsin-Madison graduate student, voted for Biden in 2020 but said that won't be the case come April 2.

Saba, who has family members in Gaza, said she disapproves of Biden's handling of Israel's war in Gaza which is why she's voting uninstructed instead.

"People pay a lot of attention to how people vote in Wisconsin, and we have a really big opportunity to send a message to Joe Biden and demand immediate change on his policy on Gaza," said Saba.

Earlier this month, activists launched the effort in Milwaukee by calling on the Biden administration for an immediate cease-fire and an end to military aid sent to Israel as many are concerned with the ongoing missile strikes targeting civilians.

This week, 20 state and local leaders recently endorsed the movement that urges Democrats to vote uninstructed in the primary as a protest vote.

The campaign has spread to several states and it's now raising questions about whether a small, but significant number of Democrats could abandon Biden come November in key battleground states, like Wisconsin.

State Rep. Ryan Clancy, who also serves as a Milwaukee County Supervisor for the 4th District, said he's voting uninstructed next week because it’s ”the best chance of not getting another four years of Donald Trump."

"Everything that I've seen talking to voters is that a lot of folks are disengaged right now," said Clancy. "They are not going to turn out in April or November given the status quo. Biden's best chance at winning in November is to listen to Wisconsinites."

A similar protest ballot option in Minnesota resulted in one in five Democrats voting "uncommitted." In Michigan, uncommitted got enough votes to win two delegates -- sending a message to Biden on their primary ballot.

While Biden still overwhelmingly won both states, political science professors say it's problematic for his reelection campaign.

"It's a concern for the Biden campaign which already has a number of things working against them this year, like the economy, immigration," said Barry Burden, Professor of Political Science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. "This presents yet another one to have part of the base discontent over one issue."

In response to the effort, the Biden campaign said the president is working "tirelessly" to find a solution to the war in the Middle East.

"The President believes making your voice heard and participating in our democracy is fundamental to who we are as Americans," said Lauren Hitt, spokesperson for the Biden campaign. "He shares the goal for an end to the violence and a just, lasting peace in the Middle East. He's working tirelessly to that end."

Activists hope to collect more than 20,000 uninstructed ballots across the state, roughly the margin Biden defeated Trump by in Wisconsin during the 2020 election.

Burden noted that while the movement could receive a small percentage of votes it "may not matter a whole in the general" if the war in Gaza is resolved. If not, he predicts it could make a difference in a state where elections are often decided by fewer than one or two percentage points.

"Living in a swing state where everything matters, even a small group of disgruntled Democrats can carry over to the general election," Burden said. "All of these constituents really matter and it’s a real challenge for Democrats to stitch them all together every election cycle."

Some Republicans also predict the uninstructed campaign will be a "big problem" for Democrats this fall.

"They've got a problem they shouldn't have to worry about, but they have to," said Brian Schimming, chairman of the Republican Party of Wisconsin. "Their base is weak, and they have opportunities to protest, but they have to get them back in line."

In order to receive delegates for the Democratic National Convention, uninstructed must receive 15% of the statewide vote or 15% in any congressional district on Tuesday.