Between May 22nd, 2012 and April 16th, 2013, the LPKY saw a significant jump in voter registration totals. The numbers speak for themselves:
Statewide registration increased 2.50%
Democrat registration increased 1.22%
Republican registration increased 3.59%
Generic “Other” registration increased 1.63%
Independent registration increased 24.20%
All other parties except Libertarian increased 25.84%
Libertarian registration increased 40.83%
The State Board of Elections didn’t track voters registered as Libertarian until January 1, 2006. The party first bought a copy of the statewide list in September of 2006 (the first data point), and has purchased copies in 2010 and 2012. The Board of Elections has put out reports on totals this year on January 18th and March 21st.
The LPKY will continue to monitor and report our progress as we grow our numbers statewide.
—
Ken Moellman
State Executive Committee Chair
Libertarian Party of Kentucky
[email protected]
http://www.lpky.org/
(859) OK-BE-LPK
(859) 652-3575
As far as the hemp thing is concerned, I know that there are Reform Party members are in the fight. I’m one of them.
Thanks for the comments, folks.
First, on the hemp issue — many Libertarians were involved in that fight as well. There was a great article about how hemp was the great political unifier. It almost didn’t happen, too. Stumbo and the establishment Democrats aligned with the state police against it, and tried to substitute a bill that would have given licensing authority to the State Police (it’s the same as giving marijuana licensing to the DEA). There was quite a bit of talk about a PAC forming to crush McKee (the first Democrat obstacle) and then Stumbo (the second Democrat obstacle) if the bill died at their hands, and I think that combined with public support numbers in the high 60% range, they had to give in.
Second, as far as our growth is concerned, we’re obviously very excited about it. We have 5 of our 6 congressional districts organized, with a coordinator named in the last one. We have 2 county parties organized, 1 more about to organize in May, about 5 or 6 that are trying to organize. Kentucky’s LP has never been this organized and we’re excited to see it happen. 2013 is an off-year; no elections other than special elections to fill some vacated seats. We’re focusing on growing and organizing, and we thank all of our volunteers involved in the party for helping us grow!
Finally, the political roots of libertarianism in America are in the old Jeffersonian Democratic-Republican party, and we were once a strong party of the Democratic Party, prior to the turn of the 20th Century, when the socialists took over the Democratic Party and pushed out the Bourbon Democrats. Libertarianism very obviously needs its own home, and that is why the LP exists.
Congrats to Kentucky LP!
Many libertarians are being pushed out by the ever more pro-war, pro-corporatist, pro-police/prison/industrial complex, pro homeland gestapo Democrats as well. I was one, 20 years ago…perhaps a bit ahead of the curve.
@4 Yes, the Libertarians were once a strong peice of the Republican machine, but they’re being pushed out by the increasingly authoritarian leaning right-wing.
LP especially.
In the last few years, there have been large bumps in membership for most minor parties and unaffiliated registrations. People are looking less to the two major parties, which is good.
Congratulations on a splendid increase.
I hope all of the voters remember what took place for this years Hemp farming bill. Stumbo and Comer went the distance in open view. Peace.