AO 2016-22: Libertarian parties of Georgia and Tennessee qualify as state party committees
The Libertarian Parties of Georgia and Tennessee (the Committees) both qualify as state party committees under the Federal Election Campaign Act (the Act).
Background
Under the Act and Commission regulations, a state party committee is an organization that by virtue of the bylaws of a political party is part of the official party structure and is responsible for the day-to-day operation of a political party at the state level, as determined by the Commission. 52 U.S.C. § 30101(15); 11 CFR 100.14(a). In order for a committee to qualify as a state party committee, there must also be at least one candidate for federal office whose name appears on the ballot as a party candidate.
Analysis
The Commission determined that the Libertarian Party of Michigan Executive Committee meets the three criteria essential to qualify as a state committee: (1) the national Libertarian National Party (LNP) qualifies as a political party; (2) the LPM is part of the official LNP structure; and (3) the LPM is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the LNP at the state level. See also Advisory Opinion (AOs) 2016-17 (Libertarian Party of Michigan), 2016-14 (11 Libertarian State Committees) and 1975-129 (National Committee of the Libertarian Party).
Date Issued: December 8, 2016; 7 pages