Proposed legislation helps voters build strength, but not waste vote
A bill filed by Rep. Jehlen would allow two parties to nominate the same candidate, giving voters more choices. The bill, proposing to repeal the Commonwealth's ban on "cross endorsement" voting, was filed in the House of Representatives on December 1. It is titled "An Act Providing Voters with More Ballot Choices."
Lifting the ban would allow two political parties to nominate and vote for the same candidate. This type of voting helps minor parties to build their strength, while avoiding the common pitfalls of the winner-take-all, two-party system. Supporters of a minor political party's platform are often reluctant to waste their vote on a candidate with no chance of winning - or in a close vote - inadvertently defeating the major party candidate who more nearly shares their views.
"Many voters are dissatisfied with the choice of candidates offered in elections. The current law relegates independent candidates and third parties to the role of spoilers and citizens who support them too often end up wasting their votes," said State Representative Patricia Jehlen who sponsored the bill. "Repealing the state's ban on cross-endorsement allows new parties to present additional choices and permits voters to make their voices heard while still having their votes count for a viable candidate."
Current co-sponsors include Representatives Byron Rushing, Anne Paulsen, Ellen Story, Benjamin Swan and Senator Robert L. Hedlund. More legislators are expected to co-sponsor prior to the Dec. 15 deadline.
Supporters of the cross endorsement legislation believe that it would make Massachusetts elections more competitive and draw more voters into the political process. Many labor unions and community organizations are particularly supportive because the measure would allow minor parties to hold major party candidates more accountable to their issues.
Minor political parties have been endorsing major party candidates in New York for many years and have recently revived the practice in Connecticut. Five other states also permit it.
The bill is backed by "More Choices, More Voices" a campaign group that includes a dozen Massachusetts labor organizations and the Boston-based community groups ACORN and City Life/Vida Urbana.
Click below for a copy of the legislation and a fact sheet.
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| Cross Endorsement Legislation.doc | 105 KB |
| Fact Sheet_Cross Endorsement.doc | 29 KB |