The Massachusetts Libertarian Party, a state organization not affiliated with the Libertarian National Committee, submitted paperwork this month to place Libertarian nominees Chase Oliver and Mike ter Maat on the state ballot.
Kevin Reed and Cris Crawford, members of the Massachusetts Libertarian Party’s governing State Committee, met with state election officials last Thursday to file the Certificate of Nomination and Electors’ Affidavits necessary to certify the Oliver-ter Maat ticket. The party gained state recognition and presidential ballot access following Crawford’s 2022 bid for State Treasurer.
The Massachusetts Libertarian Party is distinct from the Libertarian Association of Massachusetts, the state affiliate of the Liberal Party USA, and the Unified Libertarians of Massachusetts, the state affiliate of the Libertarian National Committee. However, several officers of the Association are members of the State Committee. Neither of these two groups has ballot access.
Reed, who became chair of the Libertarian State Committee earlier this year, has expressed a desire to support and grow both the Association and the Unified Libertarians, which originally split in 2022.
The Massachusetts Libertarian Party’s State Committee previously met in May to discuss how it would approach the presidential ballot line. “The MALP is not an affiliate of the LNC, and is not bound by the nominee selected by the national convention in D.C. However, the state committee could choose to be bound by the national convention’s selection if the reasons for breaking affiliation in June of 2022 were resolved,” the party read.
In addition to considering the presidential ticket nominated at the Libertarian National Convention, the committee also explored awarding ballot access to the highest vote-getter in the Libertarian Party presidential primaries, among other options.
For once, it seems I used too few words.
It seems I.previously failed to consider that one individual could by themselves constitute several splinter parties, none of which would have anyone else involved.
“I suppose I should not preclude the possibility of more than one splinter party per person.”
Well, yes. This very article makes mention of the fact the some officers of the Libertarian Association of Massachusetts are also members of the State Committee of the Libertarian Party. And, altho the article does not mention it, I believe that some members of the Unified Libertarians are ALSO members of the State Committee.
The State Committee is the state recognized ballot qualified party in Massachusetts, which was the group that put Oliver on the ballot, which is open to any registered Libertarian who runs for it in the Presidential primary, and any other members that that body chooses to accept.
“Unimportant, on the topic of fracturing, George reported on a fourth group in July called “Prosperity and Freedom,” which he said splintered off from the Unified Libertarians of Massachusetts. However, I haven’t found enough public information about it yet to really explore further.”
At some point, if not already, these splinters will consist of no more than one or perhaps sometimes two people, so contacting them directly, provided they ever reply, might be the only possible way.
I suppose I should not preclude the possibility of more than one splinter party per person. It’s silly of me to have failed to consider that one individual could be more than one splinter party all by his or herself.
Party on!
Unimportant, on the topic of fracturing, George reported on a fourth group in July called “Prosperity and Freedom,” which he said splintered off from the Unified Libertarians of Massachusetts. However, I haven’t found enough public information about it yet to really explore further.
“Congratulations to the Massachusetts Libertarian Party and Chase Oliver and Michael ter Matt!”
Do you have your own brand of participation trophies?
“The Massachusetts Libertarian Party is distinct from the Libertarian Association of Massachusetts, the state affiliate of the Liberal Party USA, and the Unified Libertarians of Massachusetts, the state affiliate of the Libertarian National Committee. However, several officers of the Association are members of the State Committee. Neither of these two groups has ballot access.”
Clearly, the liberal/libertarians are heading in the fracturing and diminishing direction well trod by minor parties of other ideological directions. I know of no examples of such a direction being reversed. Can anyone think of one?
People’s Front of Judea …
Interesting that some affiliated state parties have wanted to dump Oliver, while disaffiliated state parties have no problem supporting him.
Seem like a split in the party is in its future.
Congratulations to the Massachusetts Libertarian Party and Chase Oliver and Michael ter Matt!
United Atheist Alliance
Unified Atheist League
Allied Atheist Alliance
It’s all I can think of whenever these Massachusetts groups come up.