Left-leaning leaders of the Working Families Party are urging Democrats to vote “blank” in New York’s Tuesday primary in protest of President Biden’s pro-Israel policy in Gaza.
Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. for a primary race that has already been decided, with Biden and former President Donald Trump capturing enough delegates in previous primaries and caucuses to clinch their respective party’s nominations for the general election. By law, New York must hold the primary anyway.
The only drama is within the Democratic Party, where a growing number of the party’s voters support an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, while others back Israel’s war to destroy Hamas following the terror group’s October 7 attack.
The WFP leaders said Biden risks losing younger and more progressive Democrats sympathetic to the Palestinian cause if he doesn’t put more pressure on Israel to agree to a “permanent” ceasefire.
“We can use our power at the ballot box to send a message to President Biden in support of a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, the safe return of hostages, and emergency humanitarian aid,” said Ana María Archila & Jasmine Gripper, co-directors of the New York WFP.
“To defeat Donald Trump in November, the President must be able to build a broad coalition made up of young voters, voters of color, and progressive voters. The single greatest obstacle to building that coalition is the Biden administration’s unwillingness to correct course and use his full leverage to end the war in Gaza,” the WFP leaders said.
“Take the pledge to submit a blank ballot when you vote early or on Election Day. Tell President Biden we need an immediate ceasefire.”
Pro-Palestinian backers in other states have waged similar campaigns urging Democrats to vote blank or “uncommitted” instead of for Biden in primary elections — particularly in Michigan, where one in 7 Dems did so.
A Gallup survey released last week revealed that 55% of US adults disapprove of Israel’s actions in Gaza while just 36% approve — a dramatic turnaround from November, when 50% approved of Israeli action in Gaza while 45% disapproved in the immediate aftermath of Hamas’ Oct. 7 terror attack.
More problematic for Biden, the poll found that just 18% of self-identified Democrats approved of Israeli action in Gaza, down from 36% in November, while 75% disapproved.
The city Board of Elections reported that 55,879 New Yorkers voted in the eight days of early voting that ended Saturday.
Dean Phillips and Marianne Williamson will appear on the Democratic ballot along with Biden, though only the president submitted a slate of delegates for the party convention.
Vivek Ramaswamy, Chris Christie and Nikki Haley will appear on the GOP ballot along with Trump, though his rivals dropped out of the race as he cemented the nomination
