The Libertarian Party is America's largest and most successful third party.

The Libertarian Party was founded in 1971 by a handful of people meeting in David Nolan's living room in Colorado. Today, the party is organized in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. We also have student groups on many college campuses.

The Libertarian presidential ticket appeared on all 50 state ballots (plus DC) in the past two elections and is on every ballot in the 2000 election (although, in Arizona, the Libertarian candidate for president is L. Neil Smith - see LP press release of September 29). Our official candidates for President and Vice President, Harry Browne and Art Olivier, were nominated on July 2, 2000, at our national convention in Anaheim, CA.

Currently, 170 Libertarians hold elective office, more than twice as many as all other third parties combined. Our highest elected official is Vermont State Representative Neil Randall, who is also the highest ranking elected official of any national third party.

The Libertarian Party expects to field 1,500 - 2,000 candidates in this year's elections, more than all other third parties combined. We will contest a majority of seats in the U.S House and Senate -- the first time in eighty years that any third party has accomplished this. This includes a majority of the "swing" districts that will determine control of the U.S. House.

The Bylaws and Platform of the Libertarian Party are determined by the delegates to our bi-annual national convention, who are elected by the membership of their state party. The convention also elects an 18-member National Committee, which governs the Party between conventions.

The party's ongoing political work is coordinated by a full-time staff of about a dozen, who work at the Party's national headquarters in Washington DC. However, the most important work is done at the state and local level, by tens of thousands of Americans just like you.

The Libertarian Party is a grassroots political organization -- our success and direction is determined by our members, contributors, volunteers, candidates, and office-holders. We hope you'll decide to get involved, and join our campaign to restore the American dream of liberty and justice for all.

The Libertarian Party is a U.S. political party and is not formally affiliated with parties in other countries. For information about libertarian-oriented parties and organizations in other parts of the world, contact the International Society for Individual Liberty.