Fusion or “Open Ballot” Voting Legislation Being Considered in Maine

Fusion Voting, also known as “Open Ballot Voting,” would allow more than one party to endorse the same candidate. The number of votes that a candidate received from each party would be tallied and the total would be his or her final vote count. Voters are given the freedom to support their preferred candidate on the line of any party that has endorsed them. This allows political parties other than the Democrats or the Republicans to play a significant role in the election process—more significant than simply acting as “spoilers” by drawing votes away from the major political parties.

For example, here’s how Fusion or “Open Ballot” voting would work in this race:

Bill Jones is running on the “Major Party A” ticket and gets 48% of the vote.

John Smith is running on the “Major Party B” ticket and gets 49% of the vote.

Bill Jones is also running on the “Small Party” ticket and gets 3% of the vote.

Bill Jones wins the election with a total of 51% of the vote.

State Representative Hannah Pingree of North Haven has introduced legislation that would allow Fusion or Open Ballot Voting in Maine. The Executive Board of IBEW Local 1837, the Maine AFL-CIO, and many other labor organizations have endorsed this significant move toward election reform. (New Hampshire is not considering Fusion Voting legislation at this time.) If enacted in Maine, we would join only seven other states that permit the practice.

This was not always the case. Fusion Voting was legal throughout the United States until the turn of the 20th Century. At that time the two major political parties moved to consolidate their political power by successfully promoting legislation in the state legislatures that would either directly or indirectly prohibit Fusion Voting. Prior to the change, there were a healthy variety of other political parties that helped define the electoral landscape. Populists and parties representing farmers, artisans, and other groups never were able to gain a majority of votes on their own, but in Fusion with the major political parties, they were able to play an important role in the electoral process and have to give them a voice in their state governments.

One of the major proponents of Fusion or Open Ballot Voting in Maine is the Working Families Party. In New York State, where Fusion Voting is permitted, the Working Families Party is a minor party that plays a major role in state government. A party whose executive leadership is comprised almost entirely by labor unions, Working Families avoids taking a position on many of the more controversial social issues. Instead, they consider themselves to be a “social justice party” with shared progressive values such as affordable health care, a higher minimum wage, and better schools.