Activists in New York are urging voters to submit blank ballots in Tuesday's Democratic presidential primary race in an effort to pressure President Biden to demand a ceasefire in Gaza.
The big picture: The "Leave It Blank NY" campaign comes after similar efforts in other Democratic presidential primaries so far this year to protest the presumptive presidential nominee's policies on the Israel-Hamas war.
- Other voters in states like Michigan and Minnesota have gone "uncommitted" as a sign of protest, while Wisconsin on Tuesday will have the option of "uninstructed."
- Polls are open today until 9pm ET in New York's Democratic primary, where voters can't submit "uncommitted" or write-in votes.
- The New York State Board of Elections told Axios that figures on total blank ballots will be available once the election is certified.
What they're saying: Brittany Ramos DeBarros, co-founder of the blank ballot campaign, told Axios: "[We] realized that this was our best option to join the national movement to pressure President Biden to listen to his base and fight for a ceasefire in Gaza before it's too late."
Zoom in: In less than three weeks, the campaign has pulled together over 50 organizations across every major city in New York that comprises a multi-faith, multi-ethnic and multi-generational movement, according to DeBarros.
- She said it represents "the kind of broad and diverse coalition" that Biden will need to beat former President Trump in November.
Between the lines: The campaign has received endorsements from several groups, including the Working Families Party.
- The WFP urged voters on Tuesday to cast blank ballots and "tell President Biden we need an immediate ceasefire."
Zoom out: The war in Gaza has hurt Biden's support among the same voters who were crucial to him flipping the state from Trump in 2020.
- Representatives for the Biden campaign did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment Tuesday.
Go deeper: "Uncommitted" vs. Biden: How the protest vote fared on Super Tuesday
