AO 2018-01: Libertarian Party of Utah qualifies as a state party committee
The Libertarian Party of Utah (the “Committee”) qualifies as a state party committee under the Federal Election Campaign Act.
Background
The determination of a state party organization’s status as the state committee of a political party depends on three elements. First, the national party of which the state party organization is a part must itself be a political party. Second, the state party organization must be part of the official structure of the national party. Third, the state party organization must be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the national party at the state level.
Analysis
The Commission determined that the Libertarian Party of Utah meets the three criteria essential to qualify as a state party committee: (1) the national Libertarian National Party (LNP) qualifies as a political party; (2) the Committee is part of the official LNP structure; and (3) the Committee is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the LNP at the state level.
Date issued: 3/8/2018; 5 pages
Citations:
Advisory opinions
AO 2016-14
Status of 11 Libertarian State Committees as state party committee of national party
AO 1975-129
Acceptance of maximum individual contributions by national committee of a non-major political party