North Dakota 1892

[© tweed]

I don't understand what happened in North Dakota in 1892.  Itt says Weaver was the populist, Harris was the Republican, and Cleveland was on the 'fusion ticket.'  Weaver took 49% and won the state to Harris' 48.5%, yet Harris, Weaver, and Cleveland (who had no voted in ND) each got one EV.  What happened?

[© tweed]

I know, but what is the 'Fusion' Party?

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Isn't that what Kevin Lamoreau called the Superman party in the Superman v Lincoln what-if?

I don't know.

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Isn't that what Kevin Lamoreau called the Superman party in the Superman v Lincoln what-if?

I don't know.

Well, check it out, I'm fairly sure.

Yeah, you're right, he did.

[© tweed]

Agrarian and farmer's parties were a powerful political force in the states of the upper midwest during the late 1800's. These populist parties often banded (fused) with one of the two national parties to get the majority in an election.

One fusion remnant still actively survives to the present. In Minnesota the Farmer-Labor Party merged with the Democrats. The party label there today still says DFL.

thanks...but they would have won a majority even without Cleveleand.  Oh well.

[© tweed]

Well, from the North Dakota page itself...

"Two electors from the Democratic-Populist Fusion ticket won and one Republican Elector won. This created a split delegation of electors: one for Weaver, one for Harrison, and one for Cleveland."

In other words, North Dakota, as did many other states at that time, allowed voters to vote for each elector seperately. Voters could cast up to 3 votes for electors, and there were 6 choices on the ballot: 3 Democratic-Populist electors (either 2 Democrats and one Populist or 2 Populists and one Democrat) and 3 Republican electors. The 3 electors who got the most votes were the Electors who were chosen. The names of the electors were printed on the ballot as well as which candidate they supported. In this case, the 3 electors who won were one for each party.

Okay, thanks, I think I understand it now.

[© tweed]

Even when Kevin was more active at the old forum, he ususally only posted at the history board.

Nice to see you back Kevin