The Federal Election Commission issued an advisory opinion last month stating that the Unified Libertarians of Massachusetts qualifies as a state party committee under federal regulations. The organization initially approached the commission for clarification last fall.
In October, Independent Political Report reported that the Unified Libertarians of Massachusetts—one of several Libertarian organizations now operating in the state—had requested that the Federal Election Commission formally designate it as a “state party committee” under the Federal Election Campaign Act.
In a request for an opinion written by the party’s treasurer, Thomas Eddlem, Unified Libertarians of Massachusetts argued that it met the legal definition of a state party committee due to its affiliation with the Libertarian National Committee and its role in organizing electoral activity within Massachusetts. The request specifically mentioned the Libertarian ticket of Chase Oliver and Mike ter Maat, as well as a U.S. Senate candidate the party intended to field against Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren, who passed away before the election. It further detailed Unified Libertarians’ structure, brief history following its split from the Libertarian Association of Massachusetts, and participation in the Libertarian National Committee’s 2022 and 2024 national conventions. Additionally, the party provided documentation from 2022 sent by then-Libertarian National Committee Chair Angela McArdle requesting that control of Libertarian Association assets be transferred to the Unified Libertarians.
In an advisory opinion dated December 17, 2024, the Federal Election Commission stated that Unified Libertarians qualifies as a state party committee, meeting three specific criteria outlined by the commission. These criteria include Unified Libertarians’ affiliation with a recognized national party organization—in this case, the Libertarian National Committee—its role within the national party’s official structure, and its responsibility for day-to-day operations in Massachusetts.
An analysis included in the opinion reads, “The Commission determined that ULM meets the three criteria essential to qualify as a state party committee: (1) the Libertarian National Party (Party) qualifies as a political party; (2) ULM is part of the official Party structure; and (3) ULM is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Party at the state level.”
As of this article’s publication, the Unified Libertarians of Massachusetts are still listed as an unauthorized and nonqualified party committee in the Federal Election Commission database. It has $1,499 on hand following the close of the 2024 election cycle.
Independent candidates and newly qualifying parties must also gather signatures. However, any voter can sign, and the later deadline allows for gathering them in more favorable weather.
@Nolan’s Duty
“Which organization is an affiliate of the Liberal Party?”
LAMA (Libertarian Association of Massachusetts)
“Am I reading that there’s no ballot access qualified political party affiliated with either Liberal Party or Libertarian Party in Massachusetts, right?”
Yes, I believe that as of this past election that is indeed the situation.
Being ballot qualified as a party is of dubious value in Massachusetts. It’s main advantage is to not have to petition for President. But for other offices, it’s more of an albatross. Candidates of ballot qualified parties have to gather substantial numbers of signatures to qualify for their primary, in the dead of winter, and the signers can’t be enrolled (registered to vote) with any other party. These impediments are significant enough that Republicans have a tough time getting on the ballot in many districts. There’s no exemption for parties which would rather nominate candidates by convention.
Which organization is an affiliate of the Liberal Party? LAMA + ULMA = MALP? Massachusetts Libertarians?
Am I reading that there’s no ballot access qualified political party affiliated with either Liberal Party or Libertarian Party in Massachusetts, right?
Good overview.
LAMA + ULMA = MALP
and then there’s Phillies new side-hustle.
https://imgur.com/a/eK7qQiT
Hi, Nolan’s Duty. You’re thinking of the Massachusetts Libertarians. The Unified Libertarians of Massachusetts is the organization that originated from earlier leadership tensions with the Libertarian Association of Massachusetts. They are also the current affiliate of the Libertarian National Committee, recognized as such in 2022.
For clarity, there was also a fourth organization occasionally referenced, the Massachusetts Libertarian Party (and the associated MALP State Committee), which was automatically formed after statewide candidates running under the Libertarian label in 2022 met the threshold for party recognition. It consisted of State Committee members affiliated with both LAMA and ULMA who were elected on the presidential primary ballot (which also means both LAMA and ULMA claimed to have nominated Chase Oliver during the past cycle). That party ceased to exist following the election, after no statewide candidate earned more than three percent of the vote, nor did the group register enough voters.
Is this the same Libertarian organization affiliated with George Phillies?