Libertarian Party Among "Winners" In November Elections

Amid all the Election Night victory celebrations of Missouri’s Republicans and – to a lesser degree – Democrats, there were a couple of lower key victories for a third party. Greg Tlapek, Executive Director of the Missouri Libertarian Party, says his party maintains official status in the state with good showings in two statewide races – contests for Lieutenant Governor and State Treasurer. To maintain official status, at least one of a party’s candidates must win at least two-percent of the votes cast in a statewide election. This means the Libertarians have automatic ballot access through 2008 and will not have to collect signatures to gain access to the ballot. Other third parties like the Constitution Party, Green Party, and Natural Law Party will have to spend time and money collecting signatures instead of getting out their messages.