NPR: Michigan Democrats Want "Uncommitted" Votes

Michigan Democrats Want "Uncommitted" Votes

In Michigan, the uncommitted campaign is starting to pick up steam. That's right, top Democrats in Michigan are out there urging residents to vote "uncommitted."

We mentioned the other day that the decision of Barack Obama and John Edwards to leave their names off the state's primary ballot (Bill Richardson did as well, but he will be gone after today) means that Hillary Clinton is the only big name candidate still on the roster. Dennis Kucinich and Mike Gravel are also there, but are not seen as serious threats to Clinton.

Obama and Edwards left their names off the ballot at the request of the Democratic National Committee because Michigan jumped its primary ahead of other states without permission of the national party. Clinton opted to stay on the ballot but will not campaign in Michigan.

The uncommitted vote, however, is a different kettle of fish. The Detroit News reports that U.S. Sen. Carl Levin and state Democratic Party Chair Mark Brewer said Michigan Dems can still have an indirect say in the nominating process if they check the "uncommitted" box on the ballot. While there is a space on the ballot for write-ins, candidates must authorize these campaigns and Obama and Edwards have not.

"If 'uncommitted' draws at least 15 percent of the vote in a congressional district, delegates not bound to any candidate could be sent to the national convention, possibly enabling Obama and Edwards supporters to play a role in the nomination."

There is even a newly formed group known as the Detroiters for Uncommitted Voters who plan to canvas door-to-door in the few days before next week's primary, and ask people to not stay at home, or vote Republican but to vote ... uncommitted.

The News reports that the Obama and Edwards campaigns are now urging their supporters to vote uncommitted, after earlier indications they would not do so. Election experts have said that if Clinton doesn't get at least 60 percent of the votes cast, it would be a black eye for her campaign.

2:44 PM ET | 01-10-2008 | permalink

Comments

After all the fuss that my fellow Democrats made about disenfranchising voters in the 2000 election, the Democratic National Committee has disenfranchised the entire states of Michigan and Florida. This is insulting, especially to those of us in Michigan who have supported Democrats in the last several presidential elections. It is also, quite frankly, shocking.

Michigan voters who would like to know how this happened and get some ideas for taking action can learn more at http://WhoStoleMiVote.org

Sent by Scott Gifford | 11:40 PM ET | 01-10-2008

What happens when the contest gets too close? We see strange bedfellows plotting together in the pursuit of strange game strategies I will be so happy when finally we have a new president and hopefully return to the business of restoring America.

Sent by Deanna Sciaraffa | 12:05 AM ET | 01-11-2008

Does all this mean that Hillary Clinton will win Michigan Primary without a contest?

Sent by Akbar Ehsan | 11:19 AM ET | 01-11-2008

Akbar,

It's not clear what will happen. Supporters of Obama and Edwards are encouraging Democrats to vote for Uncommitted, and there seems to be a real possibility that Uncommitted will get the 15% of votes necessary to send a delegate to the convention as uncommitted. But even if Hillary wins in a landslide, it won't make much of a difference; our delegates aren't being counted anyways, and the election was so screwer and has voters so confused the results will be essentially meaningless.

Sent by Scott Gifford | 1:15 AM ET | 01-12-2008

Even if you vote uncommitted, all you're REALLY voting for is someone (a Michigan delegate) to get a seat to vote FOR YOU. And that delegate will be able to vote for anyone they want - including Hillary Clinton...
Also, some folks think they can check the box for 'uncommitted' and write in Obama or Edwards name... these ballots will be thrown out, if a name is written in - it will be called a 'spoiled' ballot, since Edwards and Obama did not go through the formalities of authorizing "write-in" votes.

Sent by Jason Michael | 12:42 PM ET | 01-14-2008

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