Hawaii Democratic voters weigh in on President Joe Biden vs. 'Uncommitted:'

President Joe Biden cruised to victory in Hawaii’s presidential caucus on Wednesday, receiving 66% of the vote with 99% reporting. However, just over 1,500 residents cast ballots, and “uncommitted” received 29.1% of the vote, the highest percentage in any statewide contest thus far.

While Hawaii Democrats acknowledged that Biden would almost certainly win the party’s nomination, the select handful of voters who took to the polls described the contest as a “referendum.”

The choices? Stand with the incumbent president or send a message to his administration for its foreign policy in the Middle East, where it grapples with an armed conflict between Israel and Hamas-led Palestinian militant groups. This distinction emerged as a central theme within a liberal coalition primarily opposed to Trump.

More: Super Tuesday results: How did 'uncommitted' perform on ballots across the country?

According to Barbara Altemus, a 74-year-old filmmaker and writer from Kailua, voting “uncommitted” was an easy choice.

“I didn’t want to be part of the system. But I have to be because I live here, and I have to do something,” Altemus told USA Today. “I’m not agreeing with Hamas. I don’t believe in violence. “But if you look at the violence, neither side is right.” I hope that Biden and the Democratic Party wake up to this.”

For some, the choice wasn’t so easy. Just ask Anya Budinsky, a 43-year-old restaurant manager from Kaneohe.

“It was kind of a last-minute decision, to be honest.” I checked the Biden box and then was like, ‘Should I have put uncommitted?’” Budinsky said.

The same was true for Natalia Hussey-Burdick, a 34-year-old state lawmaker representing Hawaii’s 50th House District who ultimately voted for Joe Biden.

“Of course, I considered (voting uncommitted). And of course, I support people making whatever choice they think is best,” Hussey-Burdick said. “You’re basically voting for how you want delegates to represent our state at the Democratic National Convention. So I think even voting uncommitted doesn’t mean they can’t vote for Joe Biden; it just means the delegates get to make the decision at that time.”

For others, the choice was more straightforward. Brandon Young, a 39-year-old sales associate and advocate for people with disabilities, felt confident in his vote for Biden.

“I know that the current president lacks vigor and enthusiasm, but I think, at his core, he’s a good man. And I think he also has good people around him that he’s willing to trust,” Young said. “I think he will continue to keep pushing for ideologies such as women’s rights, (rights for) people with disabilities, and creating a safe place for migrants.”

More: President Biden faces pivotal 2024 State of the Union, chance to reset race against Trump

One thing that virtually every Democratic voter had in common, however, was their disdain for former President Donald Trump.

“100% (I’ll vote for Biden),” Budinsky said. “I think it would get worse if Trump were re-elected. I think he would encourage Israel to be more aggressive toward Palestine.”

“This upcoming election is going to decide whether we support our democratic values or if we’re going to allow a tyrannical madman to change our country for the rest of time,” Young said.

Altemus told USA Today that she would likely vote for Biden in the general election if his administration could negotiate a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. However, she hasn’t ruled out voting for a third party.

“I can’t support Trump. I feel like not voting at all. But I can’t do that, because I know that’s a vote for Trump,” Altemus said.

Jeremy Yurow is a politics reporting fellow based in Hawaii for the USA TODAY Network. You can reach him at JYurow@gannett.com or on X @JeremyYurow

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Hawaii Democratic caucus favored Biden but 'uncommitted' votes surged