In a striking display of voter discontent, the Pennsylvania primary elections for 2024 revealed a significant decline in voter turnout and a surge in protest votes against both President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. As the results trickled in, it became evident that Pennsylvanians were disillusioned with their choices, with many expressing dissatisfaction through write-in votes and support for alternative candidates.
Despite being the presumptive nominees for their respective parties, Biden and Trump faced notable challenges within their own primaries. The lack of enthusiasm among voters was palpable, reflected in the low voter turnout and the surge of protest votes cast across the state.
In the Democratic primary, President Joe Biden faced a surprising number of write-in votes, a significant portion of which were attributed to a grassroots movement concerned about the Israel-Hamas conflict. The Uncommitted PA coalition, spearheading this movement, announced on Tuesday night that they had surpassed their goal of 40,000 total write-ins for the Democratic President in the Primary, garnering over 57,951 votes and claiming victory. With the margin of victory in the 2020 general election being relatively narrow, these write-in votes could potentially impact the outcome of the upcoming general election.
Similarly, former President Donald Trump encountered clear dissatisfaction among Republican primary voters. Despite securing overwhelming victories in his primary, Trump faced a notable challenge from supporters of Nikki Haley, who dropped out of the race early but still garnered significant support. Haley’s unexpected performance, winning nearly 17% of the vote across the state, chipped away at Trump’s share of the vote, particularly in critical suburban areas such as the “collar counties” surrounding Philadelphia.
The Pennsylvania primary results underscored a broader trend of voter apathy and discontent, with turnout dipping to just 29%, down from 41% in the 2020 presidential primary. Both Biden and Trump saw significant decreases in their vote totals compared to the previous election, with Biden receiving 335,000 fewer votes and Trump receiving 265,000 fewer votes. The decline in turnout was observed across urban, suburban, and rural areas, suggesting a widespread disengagement from the political process among Pennsylvanians.
Analysts noted that primary turnout often reflects the level of motivation among the party’s most dedicated voters, with older, well-educated, and predominantly white voters comprising the primary electorate. Pennsylvania’s closed primary system further limited participation to registered party members, excluding independent voters from the nominating contests.
Despite the challenges posed by the lackluster turnout and the surge in protest votes, both Biden and Trump emerged as the clear winners of their respective primaries. However, the primary results serve as a warning sign for both parties, highlighting the need to address voter concerns and re-engage disillusioned segments of the electorate ahead of the general election in November.