President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump competed in the Wisconsin presidential primary Tuesday to secure delegates for their parties’ nominations for the 2024 U.S. presidential election.
On the Republican ballot, 77.9% of Wisconsinites had voted for Trump, 13.9% had voted for former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, 3.5% had voted for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and 2.2% had voted for the uninstructed option as of 9:10 p.m.
On the Democratic ballot, Biden led by 87.6%, followed by “Uninstructed Delegation” with 9.4% of votes and Phillips with 3% as of 9:10 p.m.
Tuesday’s election marked the leading candidates’ latest effort to court voters in a landmark swing state this November, though neither candidate needs the delegates from today's vote to secure their nominations. Both Biden and Trump unofficially secured their parties' nominations in March.
A portion of Democratic voters — approximately 33,905 as of 9:23 p.m., cast their ballots for an “Uninstructed Delegation” in protest of Biden’s management of the Israel-Hamas war.
The uninstructed delegation option garnered more than 14% support in Dane and Milwaukee counties as of 9:23 p.m. following weeks-long campaigns from activist groups in support of the measure.
Voting uninstructed would take delegates away from the main candidates for the Republican National Convention and the Democratic National Convention. Uninstructed delegates are not bound to vote for a specific candidate during their party’s convention.
Wisconsin requires at least 15% of the statewide vote for uninstructed delegates.
After numerous Biden administration visits, Biden is planning to visit Madison again next Monday to discuss lowering costs to Americans. Donald Trump visited Green Bay on Tuesday for a rally as voters cast ballots in the presidential primary.
Clara Strecker is a copy chief for The Daily Cardinal. She also covers state news.
