Wes Benedict
This month I am posting a clean repost of the LP state conventions listing being maintained by myself here and Wes Benedict at LP.org. The list both here at IPR and at LP.org is being periodically updated as we learn of more state convention announcements. At this point, though, we are not expecting a lot of additional announcements, as most of the states have already had their state conventions. Nevertheless, if any additional states announce their state conventions, we’ll do our best to keep you updated.
Since the announcements are less of an issue at this point, feel free to use the comments in a pretty open forum fashion to discuss issues tangential to various state conventions, issues and leadership struggles within states, tangents from other comments in the thread, etc.
See also previously at IPR:
Libertarian Party of Arkansas 2015 convention liveblog
Lily Tang Williams elected new Libertarian Party of Colorado chair
Mark Glogowski succeeds Mark Axinn as LPNY chair
LPKS: ‘New Libertarian Party of Kansas Executive Committee Mirrors Growing Libertarian Values’
Minnesota Post: Scenes from the Libertarian Party of Minnesota’s 2015 convention
Missouri LP 2015 State Convention Wrap Up, New Officers Elected
2015 Libertarian State Conventions (listing in progress II)
Marc Feldman speaks at 2015 Indiana LP convention; Joe Hauptmann elected as LPIN Chair
2015 Wisconsin Libertarian Convention elects new party officers and state committee
Update on LPEX; Analysis of Political Affiliation of the Speakers
NC Libertarians ‘Resolve for Liberty in 2015′
New Jersey Libertarian Party Adds Immigration Plank to Platform at March 21, 2015 Convention
Brett Pojunis to Libertarian State Chairs: Update on LPEX
Ted Brown Announces He’s Running for Chairman, Libertarian Party of California
2016 Presidential Candidate Dr. Marc Allan Feldman at 2015 LP Georgia Convention
Liveblogging from 2015 Libertarian Party of Georgia convention
Libertarian Party of Kentucky holds convention, elects new officers
LSLA Teleconference – March 1, 2015
Wes Benedict offers himself and suggests other speakers for state LP conventions
Libertarian Party of Nevada Will Host First Ever Libertarian Expo May 28 to 31
2015 Libertarian State Conventions (listing in progress)
California LP Makes Announcement Regarding Upcoming Convention
Below is a schedule of Libertarian state conventions in 2015. Click on the state to get more information. Not all states have conventions every year. Some states have not scheduled their conventions yet. Updates will be posted as they become available.
Recent additions and updates: Massachusetts
Saturday, January 24
Arizona
Saturday, February 28
Kentucky
Friday, March 6 – Saturday, March 7
Georgia
Saturday, March 14
Maryland
Saturday, March 21
New Jersey
Saturday, March 28
Iowa
Friday, April 10 – Sunday, April 12
North Carolina
Friday, April 17 – Sunday April 19
Kansas
Saturday, April 18
New Mexico
Missouri
Friday, April 24 – Sunday, April 26
Colorado
Indiana
Oregon
Saturday, April 25
Minnesota
New York
Tennessee
Wisconsin
Friday, May 1 – Saturday, May 2
Ohio
Saturday, May 16
Arkansas
Friday, May 29, – Saturday, May 31
California
Nevada
Washington
Friday, June 5 – Sunday, June 7
Florida
Saturday, June 6
Pennsylvania
Saturday, June 13
Alabama
Saturday, June 20th at the Oxford Convention Center, Mississippi
Saturday, July 13
North Dakota
Friday, July 31 – Saturday, August 1
Illinois
Saturday, September 19
Connecticut
Saturday, October 17
Massachusetts
Saturday, November 7 – Sunday, November 8
South Carolina
States not holding conventions in 2015:
Vermont, Virginia.
Louisiana holds conventions every four years (presidential years).
Idaho, Oklahoma and Texas hold conventions in even numbered years.
convention adjourned
banquet dinner begins at 6p
Geleinu approved by suspension of bylaws to allow someone to get elected without majority
resolution adopted by voice vote supporting the rights of people to film police activities
Emily Salvette 30
Bill Hall 25
Bill Geleinu 21
Jim Fulner 16
Larry Johnson 11
Roger Young 9
Jim Young 7
NOTA 0
42 ballots cast, 22 needed to be elected
Salvette & Hall elected
Jim Young eliminated
Geleienu, Fulner, Johnson & Roger Young advance to next round
motion to re-elect the JC by acclimation failed
nominations for JC open
Jim Fulner
Roger Young
Jim Young
Emily Salvette
Bill Hall
Larry Johnson
Bill Geleinu
nominations closed
James Weeks 27
NOTA 10
write-in
Hudler 1
motion to elect Weeks by acclimation failed
Hudler 17
Weeks 19
NOTA 2
write-in
Jeff Wood 1
Fulner 1
Johnson 1
Hudler eliminated
Fulner withdraws and endorses James Weeks
Arnie Davidson 37
Jason Brandernberg 31
Jeff Wood 27
Justin Burns 23
Jim Fulner 22
James Hudler 19
James Weeks 18
Lawrence Wenke 13
Larry Johnson 13
write-ins
Scotty Boman 1
Jim Young 1
45 ballots cast, a majority is 23
Arnie Davidson, Jason Brandernberg, Jeff Wood & Justin Burns elected
Fulner, Hudler & Weeks will be in a runoff for one seat
Wenke & Johnson eliminated as they were tied for lowest vote received by nominated candidate
Congrats to Kim and her new team.
Thanks to Darryl for such detailed reporting.
I was lucky to even remember who was nominated in NY and I chaired the darn thing!
nominations for at-large director
Arnie Davidson
Jeff Wood
James Weeks
Jason Brandernberg
Lawrence Wenke
Justin Burns
James Hudler
Larry Johnson
Jim Fulner
nominations closed
Jonathan Osment 29
Jeff Wood 14
NOTA 0
write-in
James Weeks 1
nominations for Treasurer open
Jonathan Osment
Jeff Wood
nominations closed
affiliates report during vote count
Jim Young 10
Mary Buzuma 30
NOTA 3
write-in
Jim Fulner 1
didn’t mean to post that without reults
Jim Young
Mary Buzuma
NOTA
nominations for Secretary open
Jim Young
Mary Bazuma
nominations closed
Jeff Wood 15
Karl Jacobs 29
NOTA 0
nominations for Vice Chair open
Jeff Wood
Carl Jackson
nominations are closed
during vote count: Vice Chair gave report
Arnie Davidson 7
Kim Moore 35
NOTA 0
nominations for chair open
Kim Moore
Arnie Davidson
nominations closed
NOTA is always an option
back from break 5 minutes early
46 delegates
2/3 majority 30
majority 24
7/8 vote 40
on break until 3p
amend III 4
“The secretary shall be the recording officer of the Party. The secretary shall be responsible for all regular communications within the Party and between the Party and outside individuals, groups, and organizations.”
motion to add language to allow for delegation of authority failed
main motion failed
amend III 7
allows a member of the EC to be removed after missing 2 consecutive meetings (current bylaws specifies 3 consecutive meetings)
motion failed
amend VI 4
“A majority shall rule at the convention except for the platform and resolutions of the Party which shall require a two thirds vote of those present at even year conventions, or as otherwise required by these bylaws.”
motion to remove “and resolutions” failed
main motion failed
amend III 1
to have officers and judicial committee members serve 2 year terms (elected during odd year conventions)
motion failed
amend V
to have members of the Judicial Committee elected at the regular convention
passed
amend IV 2
to read “The Judicial Committee shall arbitrate disputes between affiliates.”
failed
amend III 1
“The officers of the Party shall be a chair, a vice chair, a secretary, a treasurer, and an at-large director from each affiliate appointed by the affiliates delegates, hereinafter referred to as the “Executive Committee.”
motion to have the 3 largest affiliates appoint one director, and 2 at-large directors elected by the convention. passed
motion to have the amendment take effect in 2016 passed
motion to have the 2 remaining a-large directors elected by members of the party who are not members of the 3 largest affiliates passed
main motion failed
Add VII 3
“In odd year conventions the delegates present at the LPM Convention shall nominate an LPM Member to act as an LNC Representative nominee.”
proposal to move this text to article VI failed
main motion failed
new article IX
prohibiting asynchronous voting for official business (i.e. email balloting)
motion to allow voting in conference calls approved
motion to allow asynchronous voting after a unanimous vote at a synchronous meeting passed
main motion passed
amend Section VII
“Membership shall be granted to any person who affirms the Statement of Principles and whose Libertarian Party of Michigan dues are current.”
amended to take effect at the end of the convention
proposal to require residency to be a member
motion failed
amendment failed
for those playing along at home here’s the bylaws http://michiganlp.org/?page_id=81
Change VI 8 to add
“Members in good standing shall not be denied delegate status at the business sessions of conventions. Additional charges may be charged to cover other material items available at the conventions.” (i.e. prohibit poll tax)
passed
modifying bylaws:
Change VII 3 to require that candidates must reside in the district they wish to run
motion fails
returning from lunch:
44 delegates
23 is simple majority
39 is 7/8 majority
30 is 2/3 majority
Neil Carrick is giving the lunch address
Amend 9.5 to add
“In addition to regularly registered voters, all students enrolled in the district should also be allowed to vote.”
motion failed
now on lunch
create 6.9
“We oppose sales tax as it not voluntary and is a tax on the poor.”
motion failed
Amend 9.2
“Because individuals are best situated to decide what is in their own best interests, we support all measures that enhance the educational choices available, such as charter schools, tax credits for private school tuition, and home schooling.”
motion failed
Amend 9.1
“Education is an individual responsibility and best handled at the most local level. We advocate the separation of school and state.”
motion to amend “…an individual, or parental responsibility…”
motion approved
main motion passed
amend 6.1 to read
“The legislature should find voluntary means of supporting state services, such as lotteries and user fees.”
motion to amend “The legislature shall use exclusively voluntary means of supporting state services, such as lotteries and user fees.”
motion passed
amend to read “such as lotteries user fees, and contract insurance”
motion failed
main motion failed
Amend 2.4 to read
“The time during which voters may circulate any statewide petition should not be limited.”
motion failed
amend 2.2
strike “We further propose that in the event that “None of the above is acceptable” receives a plurality of votes in any election, a new election shall be held for which none of the losing candidates shall be eligible.”
motion failed
amend 1.3
strike “In the absence of a declaration of war by the United States Congress” to read
“We oppose any use of Michigan troops by the federal government for any purpose other than natural disaster relief.”
motion failed
amend 8.1 to read
“Providing for the needy by forcibly taxing others is contrary to Non-Aggression Principle. Disbursing charity from a welfare system costs society more than it gains. It is inefficient, open to fraud and abuse, and creates resentment. Traditional, voluntary sources of emergency support from families, churches, private charities, and mutual aid societies have always been more humane, more effective, and willingly borne by the givers. We therefore advocate the complete disbandment of the welfare state.”
motion to amend to strike “Non-Aggression Principle” and use original wording. Everything proposed from “Traditional…” would stay as suggested by the Platform Committee.
amendment passed
main motion passed
add 8.3
“We support the right of individuals to homestead unowned property.”
motion to amend “unowned” to “unclaimed”
amendment failed
main motion
failed
Amend 8 add 8.2
rename “WELFARE and CHARITY” to Poverty
8.2
“We oppose all attempts to criminalize the victims of coercion, such as the homeless. We therefore call for the immediate repeal of all laws against sleeping, camping, eating, feeding, or solicitation.”
motion passed
back from recess
10 minute recess for people to check out of hotel rooms
strike “Federalism. We endorse the Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which reserves to our state and its people all powers not expressly delegated to the federal government by the U.S. Constitution, or prohibited from the states or the people by the U.S. Constitution.”
renumber the remainder of section 1
failed
strike 1.1 “Federalism. To restore a necessary check on federal power, we advocate the repeal of the 17th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.”
renumber the remainder of section 1
failed
Amend 4.3
to repeal references to curfews only applying to children
passed
PS
the last couple of amendments were not to remove anything – bad copypasta on my end
Amend 3.3
strike “or civil infractions” from
“We support restitution for victims of crimes or civil infractions at the expense of the perpetrator. The victim should have the right to pardon the perpetrator, provided the victim is not threatened or coerced.”
Platform Committee proposal Remove plank 7.4
replace “condemnation” with “seizure”
“only” with “not” and strike “when necessary for the protection of the rights of the citizens”
“The condemnation of private property for public use should only be allowed when necessary for the protection of the rights of the citizens.”
motion failed
PS
for those playing the home game, the current Platform can be found at http://michiganlp.org/?page_id=53
Platform Committee proposal Remove plank 10.1
strike “not required for police and court functions” from
“Aside from public safety, there is no greater concern for the people of Michigan than having a safe, healthy environment. We look forward to the day when all property not required for police and court functions is returned to private ownership and control.”
motion failed
Platform Committee proposal Remove plank 1.7
amend to strike “most” from
“We advocate a sunset law requiring an automatic end to most government offices, agencies, departments, laws, regulations, taxes, and expenditures within ten years if not reauthorized.”
motion failed
Platform Committee proposal Remove plank 1.6
to add “but not limited to” to “State government should be removed entirely from the licensing process, including but not limited to occupational licensing.”
passed
Platform Committee proposal Amend plank 6.1
remove “personal” from “The personal income tax should be repealed”
passed
Platform amendment
Platform Committee proposal Remove plank 6.4
motion to amend to read “Taxes on personal property tax on Michigan businesses should be repealed”
failed
motion to amend to read “The remaining property tax on Michigan businesses should be repealed”
adopted and passed unanimously
as of 1015a
43 delegates
28 needed for 2/3 majority
23 would be majority
38 needed for 7/8 majority
convention is ahead of schedule: C. Michael Pickens is giving the keynote speech
Membership Director did not have a report
Jason Brandenburg, chair of LP of Southwest Michigan (the host affiliate) is speaking
treasurer giving financial report
says party needs to raise $5,000
chair gave report, not seeking re-election
convention on break until other officers arrive in meeting room
Michigan LP began at 8:40a
21 delegates
4 alternates
agenda is approved
I’m the banquet speaker at the Michigan LP Convention this weekend, I’ll do my best to liveblog that convention.
———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Brad Hessel
Date: Fri, May 1, 2015 at 12:26 AM
Subject: [Statechairs] tweet of potential interest
To: State Chairs Libertarian
Brad Hessel @behessel
Strike-While-the-Ire-Is-Hot Dept. Dissatisfaction with government + demographic trends = Libertarian opportunity.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6_eiUWKU3E
If you are looking to understand how Democrats and Republicans are missing the boat politically—and why it is unlikely they can turn things around—John Davis’s Saturday night presentation at the 2015 Libertarian Party of North Carolina annual convention’s Gala Banquet is a must-see.
Mr. Davis first discusses how and why the government has become dysfunctional, then analyzes demographic trends that are changing the face of America. He concludes with a survey of the opportunity that exists for a third party to “strike while the ire is hot”…and why Libertarians are well-positioned to be the ones to take advantage.