Fusion Legislation
Progress in 2007, Prospects for 2008
Jan. 18, 2008.
In 2007, legislators in four states introduced legislation to re-establish “fusion” voting. This 19th century voting reform, also called “cross-endorsement” or Open Ballot Voting, is experiencing a 21st century revival.
Legislation was introduced with both Senate and Assembly support in Connecticut, Maine, New Mexico and Oregon. The biggest 2007 news comes out of Connecticut, where the legislature passed and the Governor signed a bill in July that established a full fusion voting system across the state.
In Maine and Oregon, committee hearings were held in 2007, and additional hearings are on tap for 2008. The New Mexico legislation is in a Study Committee and will be taken up in 2009. Details on the status of the legislation, its cost, and status are available by clicking on the state maps on the right.
We are optimistic that legislators in other states will also soon understand why this modest but profound change in our electoral system is good for our democracy.
