Fusion voting, explained
Fusion voting allows more than one political party to nominate the same candidate on the ballot, empowering minor parties to unite a cross-ideological coalition behind a single candidate.
Fusion voting
issue
American politics has long been dominated by two parties. The reason why is connected to the way U.S. elections are structured, not an actual representation of differences in how Americans think or what they want from their government. This limited number of options has, over time, created a doom loop in American politics that has left many Americans feeling disillusioned about democracy.
Creating a productive way for multiple parties to engage in democracy could pull us out of this doom loop by increasing options for voters and giving more groups a say in how elections are decided. Fusion voting, which allows candidates to be nominated for races by more than one political party, allows for multipartyism to grow.
Experts have argued that fusion voting would give minor parties a way to play a more constructive role in politics, give voters more choices on the ballot, make politics more fluid, and facilitate cross-ideological coalitions that could defend democracy and the rule of law.
Opposition from major parties
Major parties originally instituted bans on fusion voting to decrease the influence of minor parties and entrench the majority parties in power. Any effort to bring fusion voting back would disrupt the duopoly of established parties, one or both of whom might oppose the efforts as a result.
Status quo bias
The existing political system has been in place for so long that it can be difficult for both voters and legislators to imagine a system that works differently. That status quo bias can lead to a resistance to change of any kind, and especially to changes that could upend how political parties work in America.
Multiple paths toward reform
State laws are often the reason that fusion voting is prohibited, which means there are multiple ways change can be instituted. State legislatures could revise or repeal these statutes to re-authorize fusion voting. Alternatively, a state court decision holding that a state’s anti-fusion laws are unconstitutional could prevent their enforcement and require the legislature to revise the election code to permit cross-nominations in future elections.
Explore this work
Fusion voting and a revitalized role for minor parties in presidential elections Fusion voting and a revitalized role for minor parties in presidential elections
Challenging anti-fusion laws in Kansas Challenging anti-fusion laws in Kansas
Fusion voting as a path to proportional representation Fusion voting as a path to proportional representation
“More Choices, More Voices: A Primer on Fusion” | Brennan Center “More Choices, More Voices: A Primer on Fusion” | Brennan Center
“The Case for Fusion Voting and a Multiparty Democracy in America” | New America “The Case for Fusion Voting and a Multiparty Democracy in America” | New America
