This past fall, the Mass Ballot Freedom Campaign gathered over 110,000 signatures from Massachusetts residents in order to enact, via ballot initiative, an electoral reform known as cross-endorsement (a.k.a. “fusion”) voting. Thanks to the campaign’s efforts, in November 2006, Bay State voters will be the first in the country to have a chance to enact this crucial democratic reform.

Why Should Reformers Care?

Used commonly in New York and increasingly in Connecticut , cross-endorsement voting allows Democratic and Republican candidates for elective office to also run as the candidate of a minor party so that voters have the freedom to both support someone with a real chance of winning and vote their values by supporting the issues those minor parties represent. It forces Democratic and Republican candidates for office to compete for the nominations of these third parties, making them much more likely to address the issues the supporters of those parties care about and actually work on them between elections.

To understand the power of this tool, we especially encourage people to check out the video that describes the successes of the New York Working Families Party on our website (www.massballotfreedom.com/power). It shows well how cross-endorsement voting can radically alter power relations between candidates for public office and citizens, giving voters the ability to really force elected officials to focus on the bread-and-butter issues that affect all of our lives.

Want to help make it happen here???

The Mass Ballot Campaign has internship opportunities available for a variety of positions.

Legal intern: Research legislation, draft legal memos and provide advice on legal issues confronting the campaign. Communicate with the AG’s office on initiative-related issues. Assist in the researching and drafting of by-laws for the potential formation of a Bay State Working Families Party.

Political organizer: Conduct outreach to opinion leaders, including political elites, activists from progressive organizations, and the media. Provide support to grassroots activists, and assist in the organization of a campaign field operation.

Webmaster: Maintain and expand the campaign’s new website. Recruit guest bloggers, drive traffic, and deepen our use of the Internet as an organizing, recruiting, and fundraising tool.

Canvasser (paid): Conduct outreach door-to-door as part of the campaign’s summer canvass. Educate voters about the democratic potential of cross-endorsement, and help raise funds to support the campaign.

To inquire about a position, contact Lead Organizer Ben Healey at 617-282-2002 or ben@massballotfreedom.com. Help us transform the Massachusetts political landscape: get in touch today.