AO 2025-07: Four Libertarian parties qualify as state party committees

The Libertarian Party of Idaho, the Libertarian Party of Maine, Inc., the Libertarian Party of Maryland, and the Libertarian Party of Vermont ("Requestors") qualify as state party committeesunder 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 Requestors meet the three criteria essential to qualify as state party committees: (1) the Libertarian National Party (Party) qualifies as a political party; (2) Requestors are officially chartered affiliates of the Libertarian National Committee, Inc. and are part of the official Party structure; and (3) Requestors are responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Party at the state level.

Date issued: April 30, 2025; Length: 6 Pages

Citations

Regulations

11 CFR § 100.3(a)
Definition. Candidate

11 CFR § 100.14
State Committee

11 CFR § 100.15
Political party

Advisory Opinions

AO 2025-02
Democratic Party of Puerto Rico qualifies as state party committee of national party

AO 2024-15
United Libertarians of Massachusetts qualifies as state party committee of national party

AO 2023-12
Democratic Party of the Northern Mariana Islands qualifies as state party committee of national party

AO 2019-03
DC Libertarian Party qualifies as state party committee of national party

AO 2016-14
Libertarian Party of Maryland and Idaho, and 9 other state committees, qualify as state party committees of national party

AO 1975-129
National Committee of the Libertarian Party qualifies as a national party committee

Resources