New Jersey’s Fusion Voting Ban Upheld by State Appeals Court (1)

New Jersey isn’t required to place fusion voting options in general election ballots, a state appeals court ruled in a blow for third-parties seeking more political power.

Strong state constitution rights to voting, free speech, assembly, and equal protection don’t invalidate the state’s 1921 law prohibiting fusion voting, a system that allows a candidate to accept nominations from multiple parties, the New Jersey Superior Court Appellate Division ruled.

The state’s prohibition of fusion voting doesn’t overly burden the rights of third parties, because “minority parties remain free to nominate their preferred candidate, so long as that candidate has not ...