Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone railed against fusion voting at a meeting of the state’s Public Campaign Financing Commission.
Fusion is a voting process that allows candidates to run on multiple party lines. New York is one of just eight states that allows it.
Bellone blames fusion voting for allowing former County District Attorney Tom Spota to run basically unopposed. Spota faces a federal trial next month on obstruction charges.
“Tom Spota’s corruption was facilitated by, empowered by, fusion voting. In three election cycles, the voters never had the opportunity to hold Spota accountable and have a real choice in his election. Spota, a Democrat because of fusion voting, was given every other line, including the Republican line.”
Supporters say fusion voting helps keep major party candidates accountable.
The commission has until December 1 to make its final recommendations.
