Is Fusion Voting a Solution to Extremism and Polarization? Third Parties’ Effect under New York’s Fusion System

• In Event: Campaigns, Elections, Voting Behavior

Abstract

Fusion voting is a co-nomination of candidates by two or more parties in elections and is used in New York, Connecticut, Vermont, and Oregon. The current discussions on the topic state that the fusion system can bring a solution to extremism and polarization arising from the dominance of the two parties in the US. However, some scholars point out that fusion voting may not bring moderation as expected since fusion parties often align with the major parties that are ideologically closer to them, and this situation can pull two major parties and their candidates away from the center. Yet, these arguments have not been tested and discussed thoroughly. Upon examining the strategies of the Working Families Party and Conservative Party in New York’s gubernatorial elections between 2006 and 2022, it is evident that under specific conditions, these third parties pull the major parties to the extreme side in candidate selection and campaigning processes. In other words, third parties in fusion voting do not contribute to moderation as expected. Furthermore, the study also shows that the third parties sometimes have no choice but to support what the major parties endorse to meet the minimum vote requirement and keep their ballot lines for future statewide elections.

Author

• Ilay Inceefe, Western Michigan University