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Libertarian Party (United States) facts for kids

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Libertarian Party
Chairperson Nicholas Sarwark (AZ)
Secretary Caryn Ann Harlos
Founded December 11, 1971; 52 years ago (1971-12-11)
Headquarters 1444 Duke St.
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
Membership (July 2017) Increase 511,277
Ideology American libertarianism
Classical liberalism
Cultural liberalism
Economic liberalism
Fiscal conservatism
Laissez-faire
Non-interventionism
Political position Syncretic politics [en]
International affiliation International Alliance of Libertarian Parties
Colors      Gold
Seats in the Senate
0 / 100
Seats in the House
1 / 435
Governorships
0 / 50
State Upper House Seats
1 / 1,972
State Lower House Seats
3 / 5,411
Territorial Governorships
0 / 6
Territorial Upper Chamber Seats
0 / 97
Territorial Lower Chamber Seats
0 / 91
Other elected offices 161 (2018)
Election symbol
Libertarian Party Porcupine (USA).svg
Website
www.lp.org

The Libertarian Party is a political party in the United States, founded in 1971. The current Chairperson of the Libertarian National Committee is Nicholas Sarwark of Arizona since June 2014.

It is the third largest party in the United States in terms of the popular vote in the country's elections and number of candidates run per election, and it is also identified by many as the fastest growing political party in the United States.

Ideas

The political ideas of the Libertarian Party reflect the ideas of libertarianism: supporting less regulated markets, a less powerful state, strong civil liberties (favoring same-sex marriage and other LGBT rights), favouring separation of church and state, open immigration, neutrality in diplomatic issues, staying out of other countries' wars, freedom of trade and travel to all foreign countries, and a better democracy. They also support more lenient gun laws.

The Libertarian Party has also supported the United States' exit from the United Nations and other organizations. Although there is not a "left" or "right" wing label to the party, it is considered by many to be more left-wing than the Republican Party but more right-wing than the Democratic Party. Many members say they are more socially liberal than the Republicans, but more conservative with money than the Democrats.

As of March 2016, there are over 410,000 voters registered as Libertarians. Hundreds of Libertarian candidates have been elected or appointed to public office, and thousands have run for office under the Libertarian banner.

Presidential elections

The Libertarian Party has had a number of records, such as being the first party to get an electoral vote for a woman in a United States presidential election. On May 5, 2012, Gary Johnson received the Libertarian Party's official nomination for President of the United States in the 2012 election. In 2016, Johnson once again became the party's nominee with running mate William Weld. In the United States presidential election, 2016 they won more popular votes than ever before.

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Partido Libertario (Estados Unidos) para niños

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