2026 Convention
Mark your calendar for May 21–25, 2026, as we gather at the historic Amway Grand Plaza in Grand Rapids, Michigan, for the big biennial Libertarian National Convention. This isn’t just another event—it’s the single most important gathering where libertarian activists, officials, and visionaries unite to elect our National Committee, vote on platform reforms, and chart the future direction of the party. Even in a non-presidential cycle, our convention matters—to shape bylaws, energize the movement, and flex our political muscle heading into 2028. Join us in Grand Rapids to connect with fellow freedom lovers, find inspiration, and be part of history in the making.
Reserve your room now: https://www.lnc2026.comTickets available: https://www.lnc2026.com/#/buyTicketsReserve your booth: https://shop.lp.org/2026-libertarian-national-convention 2028 ConventionIn a major move the LNC selected February 18-21 for the 2028 LNC Convention. The location is still to be determined.Please save the date and make any preparations in your state for that change in the normal cycle.
If you have a great venue make sure they get a copy of the RFP at:https://groups.google.com/g/lnc-public/c/ghVFwiu1IBk/m/ove9gctAAwAJ
 
Upcoming state conventions

Dates based on information sent to me. For corrections please email pa*******@**.org I’m sure many conventions are going to be announced as soon as I send this newsletter.
 
LP News – Call for submissions!Many of you have asked for fresh content in LP News—and we need your help to make it happen. Do you have candidate updates, affiliate news, or a strong Libertarian perspective you’d like to share? We’d love to feature your work.
Please submit your article, and I’ll look forward to reading it soon!
 
Membership Reporthttps://groups.google.com/g/lnc-public/c/uI3qYLxdZtc2026 LNC Convention Delegate Numbershttps://groups.google.com/g/lnc-public/c/Ey4Y0iveTQ0
 
What is the Parity Project?

The Libertarian Party’s Parity Project is a strategic initiative launched by the Libertarian National Committee (LNC) aimed at growing the party’s size, visibility, and electoral competitiveness to “match” or reach parity with the two major U.S. parties within a ten-year time frame.
Core ObjectiveThe Parity Project seeks to elevate the Libertarian Party from limited visibility into a national political force comparable to the Democratic and Republican parties in terms of:Number of libertarian voters and self-identified supportersDonors and financial resourcesVisibility in media and public awarenessElectoral success at various levels of government
Strategic ApproachThe project’s strategy emphasizes what we describe as “discovery before persuasion”:
Instead of primarily trying to convert non-libertarians, the initiative focuses first on finding and activating people who already self-identify as libertarian, libertarian-leaning, or libertarian-curious.
The plan starts with an existing database of roughly one million contacts, which the party intends to expand by appending updated contact information and engaging individuals with targeted questions about their political alignment.Respondents who express interest would be added to the party’s outreach lists and engaged through regular updates, reports, and fundraising appeals.
Tactics and ToolsKey elements of execution include:Database expansion and data enhancement using commercial sources and ad targeting.Email campaigns and social media advertising to identify and engage libertarian-aligned individuals.
Leadership and ResourcesThe project is led by strategist Perry Willis, with advice from Jim Babka, and uses data and advertising services provided by a firm called Iron Light.
Initial fundraising goals are modest, with plans to secure tens of thousands of dollars to start enhancements and outreach efforts.
Broader RationaleThe underlying premise of the Parity Project is that a significant segment of the U.S. population already holds libertarian-aligned views or identifies as libertarian; by systematically discovering and organizing these individuals, we believe we can build the momentum, resources, and visibility necessary to operate as a truly competitive third party.
 

Below is a rough draft I have been developing myself. Parity focuses on bringing in voters as members. This is my attempt at explaining different outreach groups and methods for different libertarian segments.
Understanding the Libertarian Ecosystem: Voters, Party Members, Activists, and DonorsThe Libertarian movement in the United States is not a monolith. It is an ecosystem made up of distinct but interrelated constituencies, each with its own motivations, behaviors, and expectations. Effective strategic planning begins with understanding the differences among these groups: Libertarian voters, Libertarian Party members, Libertarian activists, and Libertarian-aligned donors who may not belong to either of the first three categories. While these constituencies overlap substantially, they are not interchangeable. Each requires a different form of outreach, engagement, and support to draw them further into the organization.Libertarian VotersLibertarian voters represent the broadest circle in the political ecosystem. These individuals express their ideological alignment primarily through electoral behavior. They may cast ballots for Libertarian candidates, support ballot initiatives that limit government power, or split their votes across parties based on issue alignment.Characteristics include:
High ideological diversity within the broader liberty spectrum.
Limited time for political involvement.
Often distrustful of formal political organizations.
Motivated more by policy impact than party identity.Many Libertarian voters are philosophically aligned but not organizationally connected. They may not follow internal party developments, and few regularly engage with state or county affiliates. Their engagement tends to be transactional: they support candidates or causes when those efforts align with their personal priorities.Libertarian Party MembersParty members form a narrower but more committed group. These individuals take an affirmative step to join the Libertarian Party, often paying dues or signing a pledge.Distinctive attributes include:
Organizational loyalty and continuity of engagement.
Interest in governance, policymaking, and party development.
Higher receptivity to messaging that emphasizes infrastructure, accountability, and growth.
Greater stability in participation across election cycles.Membership typically reflects a stronger identification with the Party as an institution rather than with libertarianism as a purely philosophical concept. However, not all members are active; many participate primarily through dues and occasional convention attendance.Libertarian ActivistsActivists constitute the smallest but most energetic segment. These individuals volunteer regularly, petition, canvass, run events, serve on committees, or seek elected office.Activist traits include:
High time and energy investment.
Strong internal networks and relationships.
Movement-centered identity that extends beyond electoral politics.
Intense commitment to the mission of building liberty through sustained action.Activists are regularly the bridge between casual supporters and deeper organizational involvement. However, activism intensity varies, and burnout risk is substantial. Their needs differ from those of voters or passive members, requiring consistent support, recognition, and leadership opportunities.Libertarian Donors Who Are Not Members or VotersA less discussed but strategically important group is Libertarian-oriented donors who may not vote Libertarian or join the Party. These donors often behave like investors funding a cause rather than participants in a political organization.They may include:
Individuals who support liberty-related legal challenges, think tanks, or single-issue campaigns.
Donors who prioritize policy impact rather than party loyalty.
Supporters who value ideological outcomes without wanting direct involvement in internal processes.This group may be substantial in size but largely invisible unless properly cultivated. Their contribution patterns follow philanthropic logic more than partisan engagement.How These Groups OverlapThe intersections among these groups form the operational core of the Libertarian movement.Voter-Member Overlap: Some members vote Libertarian consistently, but many Libertarian voters are not members.
Member-Activist Overlap: Many activists are dues-paying members, though some activists participate without formal membership.
Voter-Activist Overlap: Activists almost always vote Libertarian, though not all Libertarian voters have the time or capacity to become activists.
Donor Overlaps: Donors may overlap with any of the groups, but a significant number sit outside all three categories.The smallest overlap, where all these groups converge, represents individuals who vote Libertarian, pay dues, volunteer, and donate. These individuals form the backbone of sustained organizational capacity, but they are only a fraction of the overall liberty-aligned population.Where These Groups DivergeThe differences matter because strategic assumptions often blur these categories, leading to weak recruitment, muddled messaging, and misallocated resources.Voters may be ideologically aligned but organizationally disconnected. They need simple, policy-focused outreach.
Members may not be activists. They require structured on-ramps and meaningful ways to participate.
Activists may not be donors. Their primary contribution is time, not funding.
Donors may not vote Libertarian. Their participation is mission-driven rather than electorally motivated.Understanding these divergences is critical to designing a scalable organizational strategy.Tailoring Targeting and Engagement StrategiesEach constituency responds to different forms of messaging, incentives, and organizational pathways.Engaging Libertarian VotersBest approaches include:
Issue-based campaigns tied to real local or national concerns.
Clear contrasts with major-party policies.
Low-friction calls to action such as signing a petition or joining a mailing list.
Messaging focused on impact rather than internal processes.Voters need a narrative about why Libertarian candidates matter, not a deep dive into committee structures.Converting Voters into Party MembersMembership-focused outreach should emphasize:
Organizational credibility and transparency.
Tangible benefits such as influence, representation, and shaping the platform or bylaws.
A clear explanation of how dues sustain ballot access, infrastructure, and candidate support.The objective is to shift supporters from passive ideological alignment to active institutional alignment.Developing Libertarian ActivistsSuccessful activist recruitment requires:
Personalized invitations.
Peer mentorship and integration into local teams.
Leadership development pipelines.
Appreciation, community, and recognition.Activists thrive in environments where their contributions are visible and meaningful.Engaging Libertarian Donors Outside the Membership BaseDonor engagement is most effective when it mirrors nonprofit fundraising:
Highlighting measurable outcomes and strategic priorities.
Offering structured giving programs.
Demonstrating organizational stewardship and transparency.
Avoiding assumptions that donors must become members or voters.These donors want results, not meetings.ConclusionThe Libertarian ecosystem is diverse, multilevel, and often misunderstood. Voters, members, activists, and donors each play distinct roles in the movement’s strength and sustainability. Only by recognizing their differences, appreciating their overlaps, and tailoring outreach accordingly can the Libertarian Party build an effective, durable, and scalable organization.
 
If you have read this far you might also like reading one of my blog posts:Honor Veterans by Repealing the AUMFs and Reclaiming Congressional Oversight of War
You can also red my announcement and plan for running for LPTexas Vice Chair at:
paul4texas.darr.org
I just wrote this report in a giant flow of consciousness without a text editor. All errors are my own and I hope I made one or two hilarious mistakes to find later.

The opinions shared here do not necessarily represent the official position of the Libertarian Party. These editorial articles have been submitted by Libertarians across the country, and featuring these topics does not represent an endorsement of the content therein.