Libertarian Party is founded on December 11, 1971.
1972
The Libertarian Party has its first presidential nominating convention. They nominate John Hospers and Toni Nathan.Nathan becomes the first woman, and person of the Jewish faith, to gain a vote in the Electoral College.
1976
President candidate Roger MacBride and running mate David Bergland gain ballot status in 32 states and receive over 170,000 votes.
1978
Dick Randolph (Alaska) becomes the 1st elected Libertarian state legislator. Permanent ballot status in California b/c 80,000+ voters registered as Libertarians.
1980
Ed Clark is on ballots for all 50 states and DC, earns almost 1 million votes.
1984
In 39 states David Bergland and Jim Lewis come in 3rd in race for president (1st time in history).
1987
Libertarians win
every seat in Big Water, Utah city council.
1988
Ron Paul, on ballot in 46 states and DC, is 3rd in Prez race. Gets 430,000 votes (twice the amount of any other 3rd party).
1990
Approximately 2 million people vote for Libertarians Election day = “Double Digit Day” because Libertarian Party candidates for Congress and State houses get vote percentages in teens, 20s, and 30s.
1992
Marrou beats George W. Bush in Dixville Notch, NH (1st town to vote in nation).
1994
40+ Libertarians elected, sets record. Libertarian Party participate in successful effort to stop President Clinton’s takeover of nation’s healthcare system.
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1996
Libertarian Party is the first 3rd party to get ballot status in 50 states and DC two elections in a row.
1998
In November Libertarian Party runs 853 candidates in 44 states & sets the record.
1999
The Libertarian Party starts a new kind of political activism by campaigning against the FDIC’s proposed “Know Your Customer” bank-spying regulation on the Internet. After being flooded by 250,000 complaints, the FDIC withdrew the plan.
2000
The Libertarian Party selects 256 candidates for U.S. House of Representatives, making it the first time in 80 years a third party has challenged a majority of Congressional seats.
2001
The party runs about 300 candidates, a record slate in an “off-year” election, in November. A record of 76 Libertarians are elected. A study in Ballot Access News reports that the Libertarian Party is the most successful 3rd party in 50 years. The study was based on the “best” vote totals of candidates for U.S. Senate and governor. The number of Libertarians holding office, including appointed offices, nears 500.
2002
The Libertarian Party makes history when its U.S. House candidates receive over 1 million votes for the second time, something that has only been achieved by the Democrats and Republicans.
2008
Libertarians who ran for U.S. House received over 1,078,000 votes. The amount of votes broke the congressional million-vote threshold for the fourth time.
2010
Pamela Brown, running for California Lieutenant Governor, receives 574,640 votes. She ran against both a Democrat and a Republican.
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