#LeaveItBlankNY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | Thursday, March 28, 2024
Peace Action New York State is an endorser of the LeaveitBlankNY initiative encouraging voters to send a message to President Biden that New Yorkers want a lasting ceasefire in Gaza. The initiative encourages New York Democratic Primary voters to cast a blank ballot when they go to the polls on April 2nd.
Since the April 2nd election is a virtually-uncontested primary election and Biden has already secured the Democratic nomination, this is an opportunity to convey to Biden how much is at stake in the general election in November. Similar initiatives to vote "uncommitted" or “no preference” in the Michigan, Minnesota, and North Carolina primaries have already sent a strong message to President Biden that voters are unhappy with his handling of the conflict in Israel and Gaza.
A majority of voters across party lines want a ceasefire in Gaza, but despite this, the Biden administration has vetoed international efforts to push for one. On top of that, Biden has approved sending U.S. military aid and weapons that is being used to kill Palestinian civilians in record numbers.
President Biden MUST change course if he hope to have a chance at re-election in November, and this may be our last chance to send a clear message before the general election. Since only 1% of ballots are typically submitted blank in New York elections, submitting blank ballots is a powerful way to make visible the thousands of New Yorkers who want Biden to invest our hard earned tax dollars into our communities, not in sending more bombs used to massacre Palestinians. Although New York is not a swing state, it is perceived as a stronghold for the Democratic party centrist establishment. It was also noted nationwide as a key reason Democrats lost the house in 2022. New Yorkers have a chance to send a strong message that Democratic voters care about Palestine, and to contribute to the nationwide effort to pressure the President to change course and push for a ceasefire.
To learn more about the LeaveitBlankNY initiative and how you can help spread the word, visit leaveitblankny.com.
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Peace Action New York State (PANYS) is the state affiliate of Peace Action, the nation’s largest grassroots peace network with chapters and affiliates across the country placing pressure on Congress and the Administration to challenge militarism and demand more peaceful U.S. policy. With community chapters across the entire state, PANYS is able to mobilize and organize thousands of community activists, students, and policymakers for coordinated action. Learn more at www.panys.org.
