are there any out there?

just an fyi. libertarian is not the same as liberal.

if i had to be in a party i would pick that one

why?

because they are more for the freedoms of the people

and less govt intrusion into peoples lives

if there was a libertarian party i'd vote for it every time. power to
the people.

there is a libaterian party

they are just short on canidates

to there home page

http://www.lp.org/

there aren't many out there, no, but the ones that are, dont seem to
push it as much. maybe they should.

agreed

much needs to be done

but until we get rid of the electrol college and

require a 51% popular vote and if no one recieves it
then have a run off between the top two

not sure but maybe the #2 vote getter should be VP maybe even

it will be hard to have

a 3rd or more parties that will be taken seriously

i certainly agree with you about the electoral college.

well hopefully the youngins like yerself can get things back to the way
the need to be be fore the political machine totally
destroy every thing the constitution stands for

(by the way the "patriot act of 2002" does way to much damage to the
costitution)

us youngens (generally) dont give a damn about changing anything.

however! it does seem to be our calling to be either loud and obnoxious
about how we hate the government (but not do anything) or to not know
anything because we're too drunk in college to learn anything, like
about what needs the changing.

but yes, the few that do care to change, hopefully can get the others
to....think. for once. and take advice from the wise old geezers. :)

well befor ya know it you will become one of us old geezer types

hope ya can make a differnce by then

we know a differnce needs to be made

be well young lady time for me to go

everytime i think i'm out

sswwswswwwwwsssssccccccccchhhh

i'm pulled back in

hugs to you

I am not sure what liberaterians are, they appear to be neither fish nor
fowl. With a candidate like David Duke they appear to be ultra
concervative yet Jessie Ventura gets elected in a liberal state llike
Minnesota. Perhaps someone could enlighten us as to what their platform
is and where they stand on the issues.

Lirael, great topic, and adj4 - thanks for the web address, jeez, I
swear sometimes I feel like I live in a freekin black hole. I hadn't
realized the party had grown to this extent or that it's platforms are
almost exactly like mine. I will definately review very closely those
of this party who come up for election.

Can anyone think of anything detrimental to our freedoms or to the
running of our government should we repeal the Patriot Act??

if liberalism was one of the parties to be a part of I would be in it,
because i believe that we should all be granted the same rights and what
we do with those rights are up to us.. aka i'm a feminist and i'm a
legal feminist, i do not believe in differences.. you can argue all you
want no one will change my opinion so don't bother trying... i don't
believe minorities should be able to get into colleges with lower test
scores and GPA"s then other people solely based on their minorities and
i believe that their should be an equal rights amendment in the us.. i
believe in the us military men and women should be equal there should
be one time limit for both parties to do physical exercises in not 2
where women get longer to appear weaker... I believe basically that
whatever someone wants to do with in you know.. they can't go around
killing people or stealing obviously but with in reason should be their
decision and ... i think im losing point here so lol i just believe we
should all receive equal rights and have the ability to dowith them as
we please...

Garden, from the conservative/liberal perspective you are right, they
are neither fish nor fowl. Their focus, as I understand it, is on
personal freedom, liberty. They are absolutely for the right to bear
arms, and for smaller, less intrusive government, which may seem
conservative. But their support of personal liberty leads them to be
fine with all manner of behavior between consenting adults, which might
make them seem liberal.

Lirael, you were asking us to step forward - I have really strong
libertarian leanings. No one party platform aligns with my worldview,
but they come the closest. My only objection is the way other
libertarians seem to believe corporations should have the same freedoms
as individuals.

I have faith in the potential for individuals to have a conscious, and
to develop a sense of personal responsibility and concern/respect for
others - I have no such faith in corporations.

Damn now I am confused, I can't figure out whether I am a conservative
liberal, a liberal conservative, a libertarian, a vegetarian, a
seminarian, a transalvanialtarian, a mugwump or a right wing nut case
(note to self: add another layer of aluminium foil to the hat)

Organization

Email this page
Printer friendly page

Our History


The Libertarian Party is the third largest political party in the United
States. Millions of Americans have voted for Libertarian Party
candidates in past elections throughout the country, despite the fact
that many state governments place every imaginable roadblock in our path
in order to keep our candidates off the ballot and deprive voters of a
real choice.

Libertarians believe the answer to America's political problems is the
same commitment to freedom that earned America its greatness: a
free-market economy and the abundance and prosperity it brings; a
dedication to civil liberties and personal freedom that marks this
country above all others; and a foreign policy of non-intervention,
peace, and free trade as prescribed by America's founders.

What began with a small group of activists in Colorado has become
America's third largest political party. We are proud of our heritage
and the progress we have made since 1971. And the best is yet to come!
Historical Overview

1970's 1980's 1990's 2000's

1971
Libertarian Party is founded December 11th, in the home of David
Nolan. Disillusioned Republicans, Democrats and political newcomers hope
to create an alternative to the old parties.
1972
First national convention held in June in Denver, Colorado. John
Hospers, a philosophy professor at the University of Southern
California, is nominated as presidential candidate. LP vice presidential
candidate Tonie Nathan becomes the first woman in U.S. history to
receive an electoral vote.
1975
National convention in New York City. Roger MacBride is nominated as
the LP's presidential candidate, David Bergland as his running mate.
1976
MacBride achieves ballot status in 32 states, and receives over
170,000 votes.
1978

Ed Clark receives 5% of the vote in his race for Governor of
California.

**** Randolph of Alaska becomes the first elected Libertarian state
legislator.
1979

Presidential nominating convention held in Los Angeles. Ed Clark and
David Koch named as presidential and vice presidential candidates.

Permanent ballot status achieved in California as more than 80,000
voters register Libertarian.
1980

Ed Clark appears on the ballot in all 50 states, the District of
Columbia, and Guam, and receives almost one million votes. His campaign
runs extensive national television ads and offers many Americans their
first look at what the LP has to offer. Many in the media recognize the
LP for the first time as a serious political force.

**** Randolph is re-elected to Alaska state legislature. Ken
Fanning, also running as a Libertarian, is elected to Alaska
legislature.
1982
Louisiana congressional candidate James Agnew receives 23% of the
vote. Alaska gubernatorial candidate **** Randolph receives 15% of the
vote. Arizona gubernatorial candidate Sam Steiger receives 5% of the
vote.
1983
David Bergland is nominated in New York City as the LP's
presidential candidate. Jim Lewis is his running mate.
1984

On the ballot in 39 states, David Bergland and Jim Lewis come in
third in the race for President for the first time in the LP's history.
Bergland publishes Libertarianism in One Lesson, a campaign book that
eventually sells over 75,000 copies, and is still used by the LP today
as an introductory text.

Andre Marrou becomes the third Libertarian elected to the Alaska
legislature.

Libertarians are elected to 11 more local offices around the
country.
1986
More than 200 candidates across the United States receive 2.9
million votes. Ray Cullen, candidate for Treasurer in California, gets
570,000 votes, largest vote total ever for a third party candidate in
California.
1987

Doug Anderson is elected Elections Commissioner in Denver.
Libertarians are elected to every seat on the city council in Big Water,
Utah.

Former U.S. Congressman Ron Paul resigns from the Republican Party
and joins the LP.

Seattle convention nominates Ron Paul for President and Andre Marrou
for Vice President.
1988

Ron Paul, on the ballot in 46 states and the District of Columbia,
comes in third, receiving more than 430,000 votes nationwide -- almost
twice the total of any other "third" party.

1990

Approximately two million people vote for LP candidates.

Election Day is "Double Digit Day," as numerous LP candidates for
U.S. Congress and state house draw percentage numbers in teens,
twenties, and thirties.

New Mexico state legislature candidate Illa Mae Bolton gets 31% of
the vote. California congressional candidate Joe Shea receives 27% of
the vote.

A 5% vote for New Hampshire gubernatorial candidate Miriam Luce
qualifies LP of New Hampshire as an official party with ballot status.

More than 440,000 Texans vote for Court of Criminal Appeals
candidate Carol Caul.

More Libertarian candidates win election in local races -- city
council, school board, etc.
1991

New Hampshire state legislators Calvin Warburton and Finlay Rothhaus
resign from the Republican Party and join the LP.

Chicago nominating convention names Andre Marrou and Nancy Lord as
presidential/vice presidential ticket.
1992

In New Hampshire's presidential primary election Andre Marrou beats
incumbent President George Bush 11 votes to 9 in Dixville Notch, the
town whose voters always vote first in the nation.

In the general election, four Libertarian state legislators are
elected in New Hampshire, with Don Gorman and Andy Borsa joining
Warburton and Rothhaus who were re-elected.

Once again the LP's presidential ticket is on the ballot in all 50
states, D.C., and Guam, the only party other than the Democrats and
Republicans to achieve this goal.

The more than 700 LP candidates nationwide receive more than
3,700,000 votes for state and federal offices alone. The 23 Libertarian
candidates for U.S. Senate receive over 1,000,000 votes, the highest
total for a nationally organized third party since 1914.

The LP retains ballot status in 16 states following the 1992
election, two more than it had after the 1988 election.
1993

National Director Stuart Reges testifies before Congress, endorsing
legislation to make it easier for third party candidates to participate
in presidential debates.

In "off-year" elections, 15 Libertarians win public office, scoring
victories in local and county races across the country from Alabama to
New York, from Pennsylvania to Minnesota.

Miriam Luce is appointed to the New Hampshire State Liquor
Commission, Bonnie Flickinger wins election as Mayor of Moreno Valley,
California, and Dr. Jimmy Blake wins a seat on the City Council in
Birmingham, Alabama.
1994

In New Hampshire, Jim McClarin becomes the most recent Libertarian
elected to a state legislative slot; incumbent Don Gorman is re-elected.
Elsewhere, Libertarians are elected to city council positions and local
boards. Montana Libertarian candidate receives more than 30% for a
statewide office.

Libertarians win ballot status for 1996 in Illinois, Indiana,
Massachusetts, Michigan, and Wyoming. Coming out of this election, the
LP is now automatically qualified to nominate a presidential candidate
in 23 states, the most ever.
1995

Membership and voter registrations soar to record levels. The LP
moves its national headquarters into the prestigious Watergate Office
Building, which the Wall Street Journal dubs "a sign of the times" of
the party's growing stature.

In November, three more Libertarians are elected to city councils:
Bruce Van Buren (Avondale Estates, Georgia), Dewayne Methaney (Auburn,
Georgia), and Doug Carlsten (Brighton, Colorado.)
1996

The Libertarian Party becomes the first third party in American
history to earn ballot status in all 50 states two presidential
elections in a row. At the nominating convention in Washington, DC,
best-selling author Harry Browne gets the party's nomination. He goes on
to win 485,759 votes in the general election, the second-best showing in
party history.

The party runs almost 800 candidates for office, and 10 of them
break the 100,000-vote barrier. LP candidates for statewide and federal
office alone win 5.4 million votes, and seven Libertarians are elected
or re-elected to office.
1997

Another record-setting "off-year" election for the Libertarian
Party, with 39 Libertarians elected to office in November -- including
four city council winners: Fred Collins (Berkley, Michigan); Ron Wittig
(New Meadows, Idaho); Bob DeBrosse (Piqua, Ohio); and John Gearhart
(Palous, Washington). In all, 64 party members join the ranks of
Libertarian office-holders during the course of the year.
1998

African-American civil rights leader Roy Innis and talk radio
powerhouse Art Bell join the party. In California, Art Olivier becomes
mayor of Bellflower, while in Georgia, Dewayne Metheny is elevated to
acting mayor of Auburn.

In November, the party sets a new record by running 853 candidates
in 44 states. Neil Randall wins election as a State Rep. in Vermont,
while Zenneth Caudill and Mary Dufour win partisan office as Jefferson
Township Trustees in Indiana. In all, 19 LP candidates are elected.
1999

The party breaks new ground in political activism with its
Internet-based campaign against the FDIC's "Know Your Customer" bank
spying regulation. After being flooded by 250,000 complaints, the FDIC
withdraws the plan.

Party founder David Nolan is named one of the "2,000 Outstanding
Intellectuals of the 20th Century" by the International Biographical
Centre in England. Fourteen Libertarians are elected to office in local
Spring elections, and more than 200 Libertarian candidates are on the
ballot in state and local elections in November.
2000

A "Boycott Nosy Census Questions" campaign during the spring
generates national newspaper, radio, and TV publicity for the party.

The number of registered Libertarian voters passes 224,000, a 10%
increase in less than a year. Folksinger Melanie joins the party. A
Rasmussen Research poll reveals that 16% of Americans are ideologically
libertarian.

During the year, Libertarians win two Supreme Court cases: Striking
down California's "blanket primary" and ending Indiana's random
drug-search roadblocks.

The Anaheim, California convention nominates Harry Browne for
president and former Bellflower, CA mayor Art Olivier for VP. They head
a ticket of 1,436 LP candidates, including 256 candidates for U.S. House
-- the first time in 80 years a third party has contested a majority of
Congressional seats.

In one of the closest elections in American history, the LP
presidential ticket gets 382,892 votes. However, 34 Libertarians are
elected to office, Massachusetts U.S. Senate candidate Carla Howell wins
a record 11.9% of the vote, and the LP's candidates for U.S. House win
1.6 million votes -- a new record for any third party.
2001

It was the most successful year ever for Libertarians as they
elected 96 people to public office. The number of Libertarians in
elective office increased to 301, a jump of 45% in a single year; and
the total number of Libertarians in public office rose to 522.

Newspapers and political websites published a whopping 141
Libertarian opinion pieces during the year –- an increase of 200% over
the previous year’s 46 publications.

On December 11 the Libertarian Party celebrated its 30th
anniversary. The Party has grown from a handful of people meeting in
David Nolan’s living room to hundreds of elected officials, thousands of
candidates, tens of thousands of contributors, hundreds of thousands of
registered voters –- millions of Libertarian voters.
2002

The Libertarian Party ran more than 1,642 candidates – the largest
slate of candidates ever for the Libertarian Party and the largest for
any third party since World War II. That’s almost twice as many as the
845 candidates the Party ran in 1998.

US House candidates polled over 1 million votes for the second time
in two election cycles making the Libertarian Party the only other party
in history to do so other than Democrats and Republicans.

The “Incumbent Killer” strategy was used to control elections the LP
could not yet win. It led to the defeat of Republican Congressman Bob
Barr and Democratic Senator Max Cleland. It was also credited with
controlling the outcome of the governor’s races in Alabama, Wisconsin,
and Oregon, and the US Senate race in South Dakota.

Massachusetts Libertarians gathered 101,000 signatures to put a
measure eliminating the state income tax on the ballot. On Election Day
voters sent shock waves through the media-political establishment when,
even with heavy opposition from Democrats and Republicans, 45 percent of
the electorate supported it.
2003

The Libertarian Party clawed its way out of a $400,000 debt helped
along by the recession and the aftermath of the September 11 terror
attacks and into financial solvency.

Even though it was an off-year election, the LP racked up 46
victories –- over half of them coming in higher level offices such as
city and county council, increasing the upward march of Libertarian
office-holders. In Michigan, Libertarians were re-elected to city
council seats and in 5 states Republican and Democrat incumbents were
booted from theirs. As 2003 drew to a close, over 600 Libertarians were
serving in public office nationwide.

The LP also saved taxpayers more than $2.1 billion in a single day,
defeating: a $1.3 billion sales tax hike in Florida, a proposal to
finance a light-rail system and other transportation boondoggles in
Arizona, a grocery tax in Colorado, and a property tax hike in Santa
Clara County, California.

2004

Party membership rebounded with an increase of 4.5 percent over
2003.



The Libertarian Party nominated Michael Badnarik as their 2004
presidential nominee during the national convention in Atlanta. The LP
presidential campaign unveiled Project New Mexico, where they would find
a swing state with an inexpensive media market and saturated it with a
10-day ad blitz. After the completion of Project New Mexico, Badnarik's
poll numbers quickly rose 5 percent.



American voters were able to vote for the Libertarian Party
candidate in 48 states. This led all third parties: Ralph Nader got on
only 39 ballots, the Constitution Party got on 35 and the Greens, just
27.



The Libertarian Party generated considerable media attention. In an
October 24th New York Times column, John Tierney gave a lengthy mention
of Michael Badnarik's campaign.



Four days later, Badnarik appeared on MSNBC's "Countdown" show,
where he reached a national audience to push the libertarian message.

2005

In June the Libertarian Party released the "Iraq Exit Strategy:
America's Path Forward", a comprehensive plan to withdraw American
troops from Iraqi soil, while empowering the Iraqi people with the
ability to rule their own nation.



In August the LP transitioned from a members-based organization to a
donors-based organization with the passage of the Zero Dues Resolution.
The party's new focus will be electing Libertarians to office.



In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the Libertarian Party did its
part to help out the relief effort by "adopting" the town of Franklin,
Louisiana. The LP national office was in contact with Franklin's
community leaders to determine their specific needs. A call was put out
to members across the country who responded with their own aid.