Fusion voting: Wisconsin lawsuit could revive the election practice
A recent lawsuit in Wisconsin, filed by the group United Wisconsin, seeks to revive fusion voting, a practice that allows candidates to appear on the ballot under multiple political parties. This method was common in the 1800s but was largely banned by the late 1900s. advocates argue that it enriches democratic participation by empowering independent voters and smaller parties, as seen in states like Connecticut and New York, where it is still in use. Conversely, critics argue it could confuse voters and inflate the relevance of minor parties. If triumphant,this movement could lead united Wisconsin to become a fusion political entity,aiming to nominate candidates across party lines. The group’s co-chair, Dale Schultz, emphasizes the importance of affirming the constitutional right for political association.
Fusion voting: Wisconsin lawsuit could bring back the once-common election practice
A lawsuit filed in Wisconsin Tuesday could bring back fusion voting, a practice that was once common in a number of states.
The lawsuit, from the newly formed group United Wisconsin, asks the state to revive fusion voting, a practice that allows the same candidate to appear on the ballot under multiple parties. Advocates of the practice argue that fusion voting empowers independent voters and less well-known political parties.
Fusion voting was commonplace in the 1800s, but most states banned it by the late 1900s. It allowed candidates nominated by mainstream Republican or Democratic parties also to be listed under another political party.
Connecticut and New York still use this practice. For example, in New York’s 14th Congressional District, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) appears on the ballot with the Democratic Party, but also on a line with the Working Families Party.
It is partially legal in California, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, as it is only allowed in certain elections. Other states, including Kansas, Michigan, and New Jersey, have seen efforts to bring back the practice.
Those opposed to fusion voting argue that it can confuse voters and give small parties a disproportionate sense of importance.
HERE ARE THE EXECUTIVE ORDERS THAT HAVE BEEN STRUCK DOWN
United Wisconsin is aiming to become a fusion political party, which will eventually nominate a major party candidate.
Dale Schultz, co-chair of the group and a former Republican state Senate majority leader, said that the group would first “like to see the state courts affirm that we have a constitutional right to associate with whomever we want.”
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