Vermont: Only 7 Repub State Senators Left (out of 30)

[cali]

Only 47 left in the House, out of 200. We have a veto proof majority. In a way it's sad. The republican party had a long and honorable history in this state. We sent Jeffords, Stafford, Aiken, Prouty and other really great Senators to DC. I know most folks probably don't know who these guys were but for instance you've all heard Aiken on Vietnam (just declare victory and leave).

Anyhoo, I guess what I'm trying to say, is although on one level I love, love, love this, on the other, I really don't want a one party system. My hope for this state lies in the Progressive party becoming more successful; they have 5 reps in the house, and in Independents- there are 2. It must seem strange to hear anyone complaining about this, and really I'm not. After all, we still have a repuke guv, but I want more than one party.

[NoodleBoy]

1. I get it. does your state have fusion balloting?

[cali]

2. What is fusion balloting?

I have never heard the phrase before.

[NoodleBoy]

3. when a candidate is listed multiple times for a race, under different parties

I wasn't sure if that's what happened with Bernie in VT, since he ran on the Democratic line even though he's not a Dem.

New York has this style, and I think Mass. might have just gone to it. It's a pretty damn good idea-- it isn't quite a way to ensure third-party representation, but it helps to moderate some members and keep others to the principles they swore to uphold if elected. Parties like the Liberal Party, Conservative Party, and Working Families Party in New York have had massive successes (the cons, not so much actually) in getting allies both Dem and Rep parties in the state leg., and WFP ballot endorsement has made or broken several candidates in New York.

[DeepModem Mom]

4. IMO, we need two responsible parties, a balance. I'm a partisan...

but we've benefitted historically, I think, from our two-party system. It's too bad one party veered into extremism on the Right.

[Jack Rabbit]

5. I remember when it was hard to find a Democrat in Vermont

The Democrats even nominated George Aiken for the Senate once. It was easier than trying to beat him.

The GOP has indeed fallen on hard times.