Is Fusion Voting Something Ron Paul Supporters Should Back?

[Shotdown1027]

Fusion voting is used in Oregon, South Carolina, Delaware, and New York, but it is most successful for minor parties in New York.

Let me explain. If Ron Paul won the GOP nomination for President, he could then also accept the nomination of the Libertarian Party of New York. If we wanted to submit 35,000+ signatures to create another party line, we could do so--nominating him as the "Tea Party" or "Liberty Party" or "Anti-war Party" or something.

All of the votes on the separate lines are added up. So if Jim gets 50 votes as the GOP nominee and 5 votes as the Libertarian Party nominee, he will beat Mary, who got 54 votes on the DEM line by itself.

This is a way for Ron Paul supporters to show love for the Libertarian Party and signal our preferences while also working within a framework that is, you know, effective. Should we be embracing this more in Oregon, SC, Delaware, New York--and elsewhere?

 

[Aratus]

this is an idea that needs more hashing over

 

[Shotdown1027]

Agreed 100%

 

[jkob]

I liked the idea of fusion voting as well

 

[Veteran Citizen]

Fusion voting is used in Oregon, South Carolina, Delaware, and New York, but it is most successful for minor parties in New York.

Let me explain. If Ron Paul won the GOP nomination for President, he could then also accept the nomination of the Libertarian Party of New York. If we wanted to submit 35,000+ signatures to create another party line, we could do so--nominating him as the "Tea Party" or "Liberty Party" or "Anti-war Party" or something.

All of the votes on the separate lines are added up. So if Jim gets 50 votes as the GOP nominee and 5 votes as the Libertarian Party nominee, he will beat Mary, who got 54 votes on the DEM line by itself.

This is a way for Ron Paul supporters to show love for the Libertarian Party and signal our preferences while also working within a framework that is, you know, effective. Should we be embracing this more in Oregon, SC, Delaware, New York--and elsewhere?

Maybe in about 3 years, that would be a good idea. Unfortunately, it's too late to get on the ticket now in most states. They either have "sore loser" laws or simultaneous registration dates for the general election and primary, which effectively keeps a candidate from switching lanes to pass in the race. Only 4 states aren't set up this way. Connecticut, Iowa, New York and Vermont.

Being on a ticket in 4 states is not gonna amount to much. You need to just pack it in for Ron Paul as president this time around, Vote Libertarian, and hope that Dr. Paul gets a high level cabinet position. Secretary of State Paul sounds kinda nice.

 

[Shotdown1027]

All laws take time to pass. I certainly didn't think we could make it effectual for 2012. In fact, this wasn't about Paul or Johnson at all, but about fusion voting as an ideal for liberty.