BALTIMORE – More than 50,000 Marylanders voted “uncommitted” in the primary elections as a protest against President Joe Biden and his response to the Israel-Hamas war.

Despite cruising to the Democratic nomination, Biden has faced a substantial vote protest in several states, including Maryland.

Voters in Maryland’s Democratic party for years have had the option to vote “uncommitted” instead of voting for a Democrat candidate.

But this year, that option takes a new importance as activists nationwide are using it as a tool to protest against the president and his response to the war in Gaza. 

Unofficial results show that more than 51,000 people voted “uncommitted,” instead of throwing their support behind Biden.

The group “Listen to Maryland” says that while they know the “uncommitted” vote isn’t expected to defeat Biden, it is expected to send a message that protesters are unhappy with the way his administration is handling the war in Gaza. 

“We are hoping that this sends a message,” said Samya Mohammed, with “Listen to Maryland.”

Mohammed helped convince thousands of Marylanders to vote “uncommitted” this year on their Democratic primary ballot. 

The hope is that the movement will press the president to call for a permanent mutual ceasefire in Gaza.

“We want to see a ceasefire, that we want to see an end to this war and we want to see an end to President Biden sending more military aid and sending more weapons,” Mohammed said. 

Mohammed says in four weeks leading up to the election, her team helped rally together thousands of voters to send their message in Maryland’s primary election.

“We want President Biden to listen to us,” Mohammed said. 

The option was available on ballots in several other states, including Michigan, Alabama, North Carolina and Tennessee.

And, the effort continues a trend seen throughout the county as pro-Palestianian protests are popping up nationwide on college campuses, including a two-week encampment at Johns Hopkins University that ended peacefully. 

While Biden won the Democratic vote in Maryland, Mohammed says she’s hoping his administration is listening to the pleas. 

“It was purely a protest vote to send a message to impact policies,” Mohammed said.

It’s unclear if “uncommitted” voters will support Biden in November, but Mohammad says she is hoping that this primary election will signal to his administration to change their policies before then. 

WJZ reached out to the Maryland Democratic Party for comment but we haven’t heard back.

Maryland men’s basketball announced a home-and-home series with Marquette Wednesday. The Terps will host the Golden Eagles on Nov. 15, 2024, and then travel to Milwaukee during the 2025-26 season.

November will mark just the second time the two programs have met, with Maryland winning the first matchup, 84-63, in 2019 to win the Orlando Championship.

Marquette ended the 2023-24 campaign ranked No. 12 in the AP Top 25 poll and slotted as a No. 2-seed in the NCAA Tournament, but ultimately lost to N.C. State in the Sweet 16.

Meanwhile, Maryland completely missed the NCAA Tournament after a disappointing season, finishing with a 16-17 record.

Maryland already announced another nonconference game for this season against Villanova in the Saatva Empire Classic at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, on Nov. 24, 2024.

In other news

Ben Messinger previewed Maryland baseball’s weekend series against Penn State.

Messinger also analyzed Maryland baseball’s offensive struggles following the loss of last year’s stars.

Maryland softball’s Courtney Wyche earned a Big Ten All-Tournament team selection.

Maryland baseball moved the start time for Thursday’s game against Penn State up to 4 p.m.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Maryland rockfish season begins May 16, but with regulations, the state’s Department of Natural Resources announced.

Emergency regulations for rockfish, also known as striped bass and striper, were approved earlier this year to bolster the species’ spawning population.

According to DNR, emergency regulations extend periods of closure to recreational striped bass fishing in the Maryland portion of the Chesapeake Bay. 

Striped bass season in the mainstem of the Chesapeake Bay will be open May 16. The remainder of Bay waters, including its tidal tributaries will open June 1 through July 15. 

All areas of the Bay will be closed to any targeting of striped bass from July 16 through July 31, and will reopen August 1 through December 10. 

Anglers may keep one striped bass per person, per day, with a minimum length of 19 inches and a maximum length of 24 inches, the DNR says.

Targeting of striped bass has been off-limits in the Chesapeake Bay since April 1 and will be until May 15, eliminating the Maryland striped bass trophy season. 

In the Susquehanna Flats, targeting of striped bass is prohibited through the end of May.

The FULL LIST OF REGULATIONS and STRIPED BASS REGULATIONS MAPS can be found online.

Additional information, including a link to complete regulations on striped bass fishing in Maryland waters, is available on the Department of Natural Resources website.