New York State’s presidential primary election is on Tuesday, April 2. Joe Biden has already garnered the numbers needed and has won the nomination to be the Democratic nominee in the general election in November. Technically, it doesn’t even matter if or how anyone (or no one) votes in this primary. The winner has already been declared.

But we can still have a voice.

Voters can still express dissent over Biden’s lack of leadership and unwillingness for a ceasefire or to deliver humanitarian aid to desperate people. In other states, voters could declare “uncommitted” on their ballots, but New York doesn’t offer that option. Some are suggesting to leave ballots blank as a sign of protest. But that still leaves us without a voice or delegates at the convention. 

Marianne Williamson is already on the ballot and is the ONLY candidate running who supports a ceasefire, universal healthcare, raising the minimum wage, restoring the child tax credits, forgiving student debt. All the things that Biden should have achieved, which would have ensured an easy reelection, but couldn't be bothered with. Why not just vote for her? She knows Biden already has the nomination but she is still in this campaign just to help make our voices heard. If she can win even one delegate she will be at least be a voice at the convention for those of us horrified by Biden’s actions.

A vote for Marianne Williamson will register as the same kind of protest vote as leaving it blank. Plus it could potentially get delegates at the convention who speak out our message. Why not use our vote, our voice, to deliver our message?

It’s better to have a voice than to be blank and say nothing. Silence is not golden.

Kathy Morawski
Fremont Township, NY