The Common Sense Party

What is the Common Sense Party?

The Michigan Common Sense Party is a new, “fusion” party that seeks to strengthen the pro-democracy majority in our state, and weaken the forces of hyper-partisan extremism. We believe there are many Michiganders who share the view that we can and must do better as a society. And the path to better government and a more civil society runs through better politics and more political parties. Practically, this means reviving the practice of fusion voting.  

What is fusion voting?

Fusion voting occurs when two parties join forces or “fuse” in support of the same candidate. The candidate appears with both party nominations, and the voter has the opportunity to choose both the candidate they support and the party label closest to their values. The Common Sense Party expects to fuse with candidates of both the Democrats and Republicans who share our commitment to democracy, to free and secure elections, and to common-sense public policy.

Was it ever legal in Michigan? 

Yes! It was practiced widely in Michigan and the rest of America throughout the 19th century, until the major parties decided they didn’t like the competition and unconstitutionally banned it. Because fusion solves the wasted vote and spoiler dilemmas, it allows new voices and new parties to play a constructive role in the political process. We believe we need fusion voting as well as a new fulcrum party of the center, which is what the Common Sense Party intends to be.

How does the Common Sense Party aim to relegalize fusion in Michigan? 

Michigan has an excellent state Constitution with robust language about the right of association, and we believe the ban on fusion voting that was passed in the mid-1890s is a clear violation of our Constitution. So, we intend to bring a lawsuit that asks the Michigan Supreme Court to overturn that ban. 

Our argument is that since fusion was banned, Michiganders who favor minor party views face a Hobson’s Choice: They can either “waste” their vote on candidates who can’t win, or risk “spoiling” an election by taking votes away from a candidate they might partially like and help elect one they really dislike. This limits their ability to be constructive actors in our politics. Fusion parties were a major force for progress and problem-solving in the 19th century – consider the Free Soil Party before the Civil War, or the many farmer-worker parties after it – and they can be so again in the 21st century. Should the court rule in our favor, the Common Sense Party will fuse with major-party pro-democracy candidates on the 2024 ballot. We will not run stand-alone candidates.

What does the Common Sense Party stand for?

The Common Sense Party is for regular Americans who are alarmed at the rise of extremism here in Michigan, and don’t feel at home in either major party. Our top goal is to defeat the lurch toward radicalism, authoritarianism, and the refusal of many to abide by the outcome of free and fair elections, by supporting candidates who are committed to democracy, civility and respect for the rule of law. We are building a home for voters who reject extremism and election denialism and who want moderate, common-sense problem-solving in the driver’s seat in our state.

Who is supporting the formation of this new party?

The Common Sense Party is supported by a diverse group of Michiganders, mostly Republicans and political independents, but also some Democrats.  Its inaugural chair is Jeff Timmer, the former executive director of the Michigan Republican Party.

Who will the Common Sense Party raise money from?

The party will accept support from anyone and everyone who shares our commitments to democracy, the rule of law, and common-sense problem solving. Our finances will be completely transparent. Our bet is that there are many Michiganders and other Americans who, if they learn about fusion voting and the Common Sense Party, will say to themselves, “It’s about time.”

Is this effort related to other “third-party” initiatives like No Labels? 

No. The Common Sense Party is about reviving fusion voting and supporting candidates who believe in democracy, civility and the rule of law. No Labels, by contrast, can fairly be described as a destructive, “spoiler” party. They pretend that they will magically elect a combination ticket, presumably of two billionaires, but in reality their main impact, should they go forward, will be to risk spoiling the election by encouraging voters to waste their votes on a candidate who cannot win. We prefer to help the country that we love and make sure our votes go to strengthen democracy.

Are there similar lawsuits happening in other states?

Yes. Litigation has been filed in New Jersey, Kansas, and Wisconsin.