Talking #FusionVoting over #Thanksgiving ? Start by explaining how it empowers voters, increases choice, and strengthens #Democracy. It's a way for minor parties to have a voice and for everyone to vote for who truly represents them! #ThanksgivingTalk #ElectionReform

If you care about a better democracy, check out the This Old Democracy podcast with @msifry.bsky.social. From fusion voting to proportional representation—and lots more—guests like @billkristolbulwark.bsky.social and @leedrutman.bsky.social make it a must-listen. Time to renovate our country!

A decent chunk of poli sci and election law bluesky is in Madison today to talk fusion voting with @centerforballotfreedom.org @newamerica.org.

What we're reading: @centerforballotfreedom.org has a great explainer of the dynamics of a New York City election featuring fusion voting: Elon v. Hannah. Read it here: https://centerforballotfreedom.substack.com/p/elon-v-hannah-you-make-the-call

Obligatory plug because I wrote a thing about why fusion is good and you should like it and the Constitution says so and also Abe Lincoln. @centerforballotfreedom.org

I have other complaints about New York elections, they're not top of the class in several other regards. But letting parties cross-nominate the same candidate if they want is good, and I'd go so far as to say banning it is properly unconstitutional. @centerforballotfreedom.org's on that beat.

Honoring veterans this #VeteransDay means honoring their commitment to democracy. #FusionVoting gives them more voice, choice & representation. Let’s recognize their service by fighting for a system that reflects their values & sacrifices. 🗳️🇺🇸

Honoring veterans this Veterans Day means honoring their commitment to a fair, democratic process. #FusionVoting can amplify veteran voices, giving them more representation and choice in elections.

Episode 1 of This Old Democracy: Host Micah Sifry talks with Dan Cantor of the Center for Ballot Freedom about reviving fusion voting—a forgotten reform that could reduce polarization, empower new voices, and make elections more representative. 🎧 Listen: centerforballotfreedom.org/this-old-dem...

The two party system has failed us. We need real reform.

Our two-party system is broken. Republicans are dominated by an anti-democratic faction; Democrats are too fragmented to speak with one voice. A multiparty system—where factions negotiate, compete, and form coalitions—could be the way out.

Agreed! A multiparty system would firce coalition building to get things done TOGETHER. BINARY DOESN'T WORK. Proof exists all around us.

Quiet but big news—the ABA Task Force on American Democracy recommends lifting bans on fusion voting to help break the two-party doom loop. A multiparty democracy could strengthen U.S. democracy.

Bruce Springsteen recently called for a new political party in the U.S.—he’s right, but the wasted vote problem keeps third parties from being meaningful. Breaking the two-party doom loop means creating a multiparty, positive-sum system where new leaders can thrive.

The government shutdown shows the danger of zero-sum politics—“I can only win if you lose.” To fix this, we need a positive-sum system with more than two parties. Fusion voting is one idea.

Fusion voting was banned ~125 years ago by major parties who didn’t like competition—GOP in the North, Dems in the South. But what was banned can be unbanned. Now, lawsuits in NJ, KS, WI are pushing back, saying voters deserve more choice & parties should have freedom to nominate. #ThisOldDemocracy

Will fusion voting lead to chaos with too many parties? Unlikely. Party-building is real work—but it’s also a chance for unheard communities to organize, compete, and lead. It happened before—suffragists, farmers, workers—and it can happen again. @centerforballotfreedom.org

Why are two prominent former WI officials launching a new party? 🎙️ On This Old Democracy, Micah Sifry talks with United Wisconsin co-chairs Dale Schultz (R) & David Mahoney (D) about their push for democracy reform. substack.com/@centerforba...

Is that what that's called? As a NY Voter, I just assumed this was a normal thing, and I always vote for the candidate on the party that matches my values. It's not confusing.

Mythbuster: Fusion voting isn’t confusing—it’s empowering. In NY & CT, voters easily use clear ballots with just 1-3 fusion parties. You vote for the candidate you like, under the party that reflects your values. Simple, democratic, 100% American. #FusionVoting #BallotFreedom

Hi- You're in a new starter pack: Independent, pro-democracy writers, content creators, media orgs, & scientists. Tks for what you do! Please check out the first pack: go.bsky.app/TFBJ8Di @currentideas.bsky.social @dandrezner.bsky.social @danielcantor.bsky.social go.bsky.app/8ATqS4U

In Germany, rivals form coalitions after elections. In fusion voting, we do it before. Minor parties cross-nominate major ones—but with conditions. It’s how you get compromise, stability, and real representation without burning it all down. #FusionVoting #DemocracyReform

"How Does Protect Democracy Counter the Authoritarian Playbook?" centerforballotfreedom.org/this-old-dem...

Episode 6 of #ThisOldDemocracy is officially out now. Tap the link below to tune in to Micah Sifry and Ian Bassin discussing authoritarianism. @msifry.bsky.social @ianbassin.bsky.social @protectdemocracy.org

In the 1820s, fusion voting was used by the Working Men’s Party of Philadelphia for city council elections. They fused with the Jacksonian Democrats, but asked voters to support the Working Men’s Party by voting on their fusion ticket to show support for the 10-hour workday. #HappyLaborDay

Fusion voting allows two different parties to nominate the same candidate: protectdemocracy.org/work/fusion-... The candidate softens and adjusts their stance to pick up the votes from the minor party, which gives the minor party a say in politics.

“Dan, how do we legalize fusion voting?” OK, maybe no one actually asks me that on the street—but here’s the answer: Litigation. Citizens in KS, NJ, and WI are suing for their right to nominate candidates under their own party label. It’s about freedom of association. Let voters choose and be heard.

Check out my conversation with @astra.bsky.social on “How We Fight End-Times Fascism.” podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...

The push for re-legalizing fusion voting from @centerforballotfreedom.org is the most important flying-under-the-radar electoral reform effort happening today. I can't recommend them highly enough, and was glad to help put together the joint Rainey Center / @cato.org / CTW brief in this case.

A third party can win — but only if we fix the system. Fusion voting lets different parties back the same candidate, giving voters more power and breaking the spoiler effect. The future of democracy isn’t red or blue — it’s fusion. @mauricewfp.bsky.social @workingfamilies.org the.ink/p/watch-a-th...

It’s not every day a former Dem & GOP governor agree on fixing democracy—but Jon Corzine and Christine Todd Whitman just did. In New Jersey, they’re calling to revive fusion voting: more choice, more accountability, less toxic politics. NJ could lead the way. 👀 #FusionVoting 🗳️ #DemocracyReform

ICYMI: @erikgunn.bsky.social reports on Republican and Democratic retirees who have teamed up to promote ‘fusion voting’

Republican and Democratic Retirees Jointly Promoting ‘Fusion Voting’

Fusion voting? Well that’s just math mathing. I joined @pocan.house.gov ‬to break down the how and why fusion voting is a 🔑 for third parties in #elections. #thirdparty @nywfp.bsky.social @nywfp.bsky.social 🔗 www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mn6...

Yes. There is no escaping the US’s downward spiral toward authoritarianism without genuine institutional reform. 1. Multi-member districts and fusion voting—>multipartyism 2. Voting rights guaranteed for all; no more territories. 3. Justice term limits 3. Expand the House 4. Reduce Senate’s role

People ask, won’t fusion voting fuel extremism? Nope. Candidates must accept nominations. No serious candidate wants a QAnon Party line dragging them down. Fusion rewards coalition-building, not chaos. #ThisOldDemocracy

This Old Democracy is a regular podcast that explores the ideas, movements, and people working to rescue our faltering political system — and rebuild American democracy on a stronger, more inclusive, and truly representative foundation. centerforballotfreedom.org/this-old-dem...

New episode of #ThisOldDemocracy. New insights. New reasons to listen. 🎧 Out now! Get a fix of @msifry.bsky.social and @billkristolbulwark.bsky.social discussing the current state of our democracy, the rise of authoritarianism, and the challenges posed by political polarization and reform.

From #ThisOldDemocracy pod: Fusion voting gives disaffected voters—like non-MAGA Republicans—a way to cast a vote that reflects their values without staying home or spoiling elections. More choices, more voices, a healthier democracy. @centerforballotfreedom.org @msifry.bsky.social

Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/1TMo... Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t... YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLdz...

🗳️ Must-watch from @perrybaconjr.bsky.social: Our democracy is broken—but not beyond repair. More on how our system got broken and what reforms like fusion voting and proportional representation could do to fix it: centerforballotfreedom.substack.com/p/perry-baco...

Episode 2 with @leedrutman.bsky.social and @msifry.bsky.social launched on Monday, July 21st. Listen now on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube: centerforballotfreedom.org/this-old-dem...

🎙️ Tired of the two-party doom loop? Check out "This Old Democracy" — a podcast exploring how we can revive American democracy with more choices, more voices, and more accountability. #ThisOldDemocracy #MultipartyDemocracy

Great time on #ThisOldDemocracy podcast. @msifry.bsky.social asked me about fusion in US history. Minor parties like the Liberty Party, Free Soilers & Workingmen’s Party fused with major parties to win change—without spoiling elections.

I cannot recommend listening to @msifry.bsky.social enough. Very smart. Very informed. Very incisive. Always a great read. Now a great listen!

Host @msifry.bsky.social has launched a podcast in partnership with @centerforballotfreedom.org. Come check it out! (Links below)

Interesting…..

The united pro-democracy front must be broad enough to defeat Trump's drive to autocracy; in this effort, even folks like Bill Kristol are allies. And fusion voting isn't just good defense against authoritarianism; 26 years of @nywfp.bsky.social work has shown it's also good progressive offense!