Irresponsible Parties? Electoral Fusion and Democratic Deficits

Once a common practice in the United States, only five states now permit some form of electoral fusion, in which parties may cross-endorse candidates so they may run on multiple ballot lines. Dr. LaVenia will focus on why fusion limits democracy by restricting voter choice and gains for smaller parties.

Dr. LaVenia has a perspective on fusion both as a political scientist with a background in the problems posed by the mass political party, and as the long-time co-chair of the Green Party of New York.

Sponsored by the Department of Government and Legal Studies

with support from the John C. Donovan Lecture Fund