SC Bans Fusion Voting

On May 13th, 2022, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster (R), signed Senate Bill 108 into Law. Among the Provisions in the Bill were sections that would abolish Fusion Voting, which permits more than One Political Party to run the same Candidate, a practice that Political Parties in the Palmetto State have enjoyed since the Inception of Elections.

In the 19th century, Fusion Voting was common throughout the U.S. With this signed Bill, there are now only Seven States that still permit the practice: Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Mississippi, New York, Oregon, and Vermont.

Fusion allows for the building of Electoral Coalitions in which Minor Political Parties can partner with the Major Parties: Democrats or Republicans, influencing the Majors to take up Reforms that appeal to the fastest growing, and in many States, the largest group of Voters: Independents.

Fusion is key to bringing younger Voters into the process, as they are much more inclined to identify outside the Major Parties.

Wayne Griffin (I), State Chair of the Independence Party of South Carolina, has been active in the fight to save Fusion. After the Bill to Ban it passed, he said: "Abolishing fusion hurts the voters of our state, especially those in the African American community. My daughters have often said to me that they wouldn’t dream of being a Democrat or Republican. Young people are looking for outside-the-box solutions!"

The Power of Fusion for the African American Electorate was demonstrated in the 2005 Mayoral Campaign in New York City. A Fusion between the Independence Party of New York and the Republican Party created a pathway for 47% of Black voters to Vote outside the Democratic Party.

This Changed the fundamental dynamic in New York City Politics as Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s Administration, became more responsive to the concerns of Black Voters and the Democratic Party was forced to Recommit itself to these New Yorkers for fear of losing their Support.

I was an Elected Official of the NY/NYC Independent Party, for the 73rd Assembly District for 12 years: as a County Committee Member, State Committee Member, and on the Executive Board as At-Large Member, and worked on Blumberg's Three Mayor Elections.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker