Congressional Race Could Be Step Towards Fusion Voting

INDEPENDENT PARTY  ELECTIONS 

By Ethan Lindsey

Bend, OR  August 7, 2008 4:45 p.m.

The Independent Party of Oregon sent its nomination list to the state Thursday. Democrat Jeff Merkley received the party's endorsement in the U.S. Senate race.

And Republican Joel Haugen got the Independent Party's nod in his race against Democratic Congressman David Wu. Ethan Lindsey reports.

The Independent Party says Haugen is a natural independent. He's a fiscal conservative who's endorsed Obama.

The party is so supportive, it wants Haugen's name listed on the same ballot line as his Republican party affiliation - and the Independent Party label.

The Secretary of State's office says that Haugen would have to change his party affiliation to be listed as an Independent.

Linda Williams is the chair of the Independent Party of Oregon.

Linda Williams: “A single ballot line, but with multiple nominations, is a step towards giving voters better information. Fusion voting would take it another step.”

The Independent Party supports so-called Fusion Voting, where a candidate's name can appear more than once on a ballot.

Williams says the party will consider a lawsuit, if the Secretary of State's office says Haugen will only be listed as a Republican.

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