Eric Griego
Legislation that would allow multiple parties to place the same candidate on the ballot may be considered today by the Senate Rules Committee.
The bill that would allow so-called “fusion voting” is sponsored by Sen. Eric Griego, D-Albuquerque. Here’s what fusion voting is, from Wikipedia:
“… an arrangement where two or more political parties on a ballot list the same candidate, pooling the votes for that candidate. Distinct from the process of electoral alliances in that the political parties remain separately listed on the ballot, the practice of electoral fusion in jurisdictions where it exists allows minor parties to influence election results and policy by offering to endorse or nominate a major party’s candidate.”
Griego’s legislation would accomplish this by allowing a candidate’s name to appear more than once on a ballot. That allows multiple parties to nominate the same candidate – giving minority parties a voice in the process but allowing them, when they choose to back a major-party candidate, to avoid the criticism that they are spoilers for Democratic or Republican candidates.
Supporters say fusion voting gives minor parties more influence, allowing them to organize alongside Democrats or Republicans while still retaining their distinct voice. And it gives activists options outside the two major parties, so it has the potential to increase their influence.
Fusion voting exists in a handful of states including New York. Here’s why the Working Families Party of New York says fusion voting is important:
“Third parties aren’t too common in America, and there’s a reason why. Too often, voting for a third party candidate means casting your ballot for someone you know doesn’t have much hope of winning or, even worse, will hand a victory to the candidate you like the least (think Ralph Nader in the 2000 election).
“Not in New York. … when you go to vote, you’ll see the same candidate listed under multiple parties on the ballot — say ‘Democrat’ and ‘Working Families.’ Voting for that candidate under Working Families counts the same as voting for them under the Democratic Party line — but it also lets them know that you expect them to fight for the issues we care about.
“Candidates know how many votes they got from Working Families voters, and when those votes help them win, we can expect that politician to fight for us, not special interests.”
Griego said his goal is to “make sure that the full range of views are heard.”
“Right now only candidates who represent the moderate voices make it on the ballot,” he said. “Fusion would provide for a more diverse set of choices for voters.”
“Voter participation is at an all-time low because people do not feel like they have any real choices,” he said. “The two major parties are looking more and more like each other and seem to have the same agenda: preserving their own power.”