November 3, 2010
The Libertarian Party of Indiana will maintain ballot access for four more years because of their achievement of six percent in the Secretary of State race. Libertarian Mike Wherry earned 100,847 votes which is the highest number of votes cast for a single candidate in the LPIN’s history.
Automatic ballot access is granted to a political party that reaches two percent of the vote while the ten percent mark enters a political party in to the primary system. In 2006, Mike Kole received 54,381 (3.3%) votes. Rebecca Sink-Burris was the party’s candidate in 2002, and received 60,937 (4.1%) votes.
“Throughout the campaign, I can’t count the times I heard people say they agree with Libertarians, but feel they’re wasting a vote,” said Wherry. “Last night, we proved once again that our libertarian philosophy is spreading across the state. Our team topped 100,000 votes for the first time in the Secretary of State’s race. This means our county organizations and their candidates can continue their growth without the burden of petitioning.”
Wherry continues, “With municipal elections around the corner, maintaining our ballot access was critical. It’s this level where we stand to really see victories. Admittedly, it’s tough to compete in a statewide race as a third party. But, when put in a local race where we know our neighbors, have been active in service clubs, and our churches, we will be very tough competition. We can’t compete if we have to expend our resources just to get on the ballot. That’s why last night’s record vote total was so important.”
State Chair Sam Goldstein shared Wherry’s point of view.
“Ballot access is the key to our survival as the state’s only third party,” said Goldstein. “In many races across the state, we were the only other choice in many local and state races. We view electoral competition to be as important to the health of Indiana as economic competition.”
Media Contact: Chris Spangle, 317-920-1994
ABOUT THE LIBERTARIAN PARTY
The Libertarian Party is America, and Indiana’s, third largest political party founded in 1971 as an alternative to the two main political parties. Its vision is for a world in which all individuals can freely exercise the natural right of sole dominion over their own lives, liberty and property by building a political party that elects Libertarians to public office, and moving public policy in a libertarian direction.
The Libertarian Party of Indiana was formed in 1974, and has maintained ballot access since 1994. Sam Goldstein, an Indianapolis resident, currently serves as Chairman.
Learn what we stand for here.
Libertarian Party of Indiana
156 E Market St.
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
(317) 920-1994
lpinhq@lpin.org
www.lpin.org
www.freehoosiers.com
Sam Goldstein, Chairman
Christopher Spangle, Executive Director
