Frequently Asked Questions
Vote No Preference MA is inspired by the power of the “Listen to Michigan” campaign which resulted in the success of over 100,000 people voting “Uncommitted.
President Biden and Democratic Party leadership anticipate our anger will dissipate with time and expect us to ultimately relent. However, by casting a “No Preference” vote on March 5th, we in Massachusetts aim to convey a firm message to our persistent demanding a ceasefire and an end to financing Israel’s war crimes and genocide in Gaza.
Who is this group?
We are a multiracial, interfaith, multi-generational, anti-war campaign here in Massachusetts to make clear to President Biden that we reject his administration’s funding of genocide in Gaza
Why are we asking for voters to vote NO PREFERENCE?
In light of the INCREDIBLE success of the Michigan “Uncommitted” campaign (which received an unprecedented 100,000+ votes!!!), voting “No Preference” will build on that momentum and align with other ceasefire efforts here in Massachusetts. The most powerful way to be consistent in protesting Biden’s role in the genocide of Palestinians is to vote “No Preference.”
What is the difference between “No Preference” and “Uncommitted”?
“No Preference” in Massachusetts is equivalent to “Uncommitted” in Michigan. States use different names for the category on their ballots, but they serve the same function.
How does voting “No Preference” impact our delegates?
According to the MA Elections Division: “‘No Preference’” is an option that exists on Presidential Primary ballots for voters to cast a vote for uncommitted delegates at the national convention. If No Preference gains enough votes under the thresholds set by the state party, a certain number of delegates may go to the convention without being committed to vote for a specific candidate.”
Where do I vote?
You can find early voting locations here. You can find your polling location and other election information here.
What about writing in “ceasefire”? How will that be treated in MA?
The Massachusetts Elections Division confirmed that write-in votes for “ceasefire” will be counted and reported. Filling in the oval on the ballot triggers recognition of a write-in vote in the scanner.
They said, “A write-in for anything besides a living person will be tallied as a blank vote. This includes statements, fictional characters, or deceased individuals. Blanks are always reported in official election results, as are “all others,” which is a compilation of write-in votes for candidates who didn’t receive a significant enough number of votes to be reported separately.”
What matters most is that people make a protest vote in the form they feel resonates with them. We celebrate all the ways that people use the ballot box to demand an end to genocide. If you have already written in ceasefire, you are part of this movement, too.
Is the “No Preference” vote strategy specifically for the Democratic Party party ballot?
Yes. We are specifically advocating for a “No Preference” vote on the Democratic ballot. People who are Unenrolled (sometimes called Independents) should request a Democratic primary ballot. Voters who are enrolled in other parties cannot request this ballot.
What if I want to vote for someone from a different party in the general election? Does choosing a Democratic primary ballot prevent me from doing that?
No. The ballot you choose for primaries is not the party you need to vote for in the general election in November.