Zohran Mamdani has just been declared the winner of New York City’s mayoral election, capturing attention even from tech billionaire Elon Musk. Musk took to social media, calling the election a “scam” due to certain candidates appearing multiple times on the ballot.
This overlap happens because of a unique system in New York known as fusion voting. Here, several parties can endorse a single candidate, which allows them to appear under different party names on the ballot. This method isn’t new; it was also used in last year’s presidential election. For instance, Donald Trump and Kamala Harris were listed twice in many New York counties, having endorsements from multiple parties.
A good example is the sample ballot from Madison County. Trump appeared under both the Republican and Conservative parties, while Harris was listed under the Democratic and Working Families parties.
Historically, fusion voting has roots dating back to the late 19th century in the U.S., designed to give voters more choices and ensure that minority parties have a voice. This system allows for people to support candidates that align closely with their values, even if they aren’t affiliated with the same party.
Interestingly, Andrew Cuomo, who lost to Mamdani, previously ran in 2018 and was listed on the ballot four times. Musk took issue with the order on the ballot, pointing out that Cuomo’s name appeared last. This happened because he ran independently after losing the Democratic nomination to Mamdani.
While some see fusion voting as a way to create more inclusive elections, others criticize it for causing confusion among voters. Experts argue that it can dilute the understanding of who voters are truly endorsing. In a recent survey, about 60% of New Yorkers reported feeling unsure about candidates due to the presence of multiple endorsements.
As the conversation around election practices continues, reactions on social media reflect the mixed feelings from the public. Many celebrate the added choices, while others echo Musk’s concerns about clarity and transparency.
For more information on voting systems, you can check the National Association of Secretaries of State for insights on how different states conduct elections.
