If you compare primary election returns for the Washington State Democratic party in 2020 and 2024, you’ll immediately notice something strange. In 2020, four different primary contenders received tens of thousands of votes, and two of them, Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders, almost evenly split Washington State’s 92 Democratic delegates. Fast forward to this year’s state primary on March 12, and the only major contender was Joe Biden. However, if you look at the results you will see another: “uncommitted”.

I had the option to vote in Washington’s primary election this year. If I could have voted in 2020, I may have voted for a Democratic candidate, but rather than cast my vote for Joe Biden or any of the three minor Democratic candidates this year, I filled in the bubble for “uncommitted”.

The nationwide movement to vote “uncommitted” gained attention in Michigan this February, where more than 100,000 people voted “uncommitted”. Young, progressive voters, led by Arab and Muslim Americans, propelled the movement. In Washington State, 58,000 voters, above 8% of the total, filled in the “uncommitted” option.

2024 is a pivotal year. But even if you plan to vote Biden or support the Biden campaign, don’t let anyone tell you that voting “uncommitted” is voting against the Democrats.

The movement to vote “uncommitted” began as a protest of the Biden administration’s handling of the war in Gaza with the aim of pushing Biden to support an immediate ceasefire, saving lives and reaching toward peace.

I personally voted “uncommitted” because of the Democratic National Convention’s undemocratic primary methods, which included refusal to host primary debates and election scheduling meant to sway results. But voting “uncommitted” is also the best option for anyone who is dissatisfied with current Democratic leadership.

“Uncommitted” voters such as myself aren’t trying to draw votes away or sabotage the Democratic campaign. Instead, voting “uncommitted” in the primary was a strategic tool, signifying that voters are discontent with many issues, including in the Biden administration.

The ability of each citizen to exercise their right to vote as they see fit is an essential right, and you should not let yourself be convinced that voting “uncommitted” is some sort of egregious mistake.