Dear County Affiliates & NY Libertarians,
We can’t assume that many of our state legislators are fully aware or have a clear understanding of the grievances and concerns of libertarians in New York State. But we can safely assume that our elected officials will continue to remain in the dark or happily discount the cruciality of matters that we proclaim are important to us until we are willing to make it our duty to engage in regular contact with our elected officials via face-to-face conversations, phone calls, and letter-writing campaigns to their district offices.
This past winter the Libertarian Party of New York asked its affiliates to take part in a call to action. We urgently asked our affiliates to get involved by reaching out to their local state legislators to voice their concerns about matters such as ballot access rules, qualified immunity, the prevention of a mandatory adult vaccine database, and allowing homeschooled children to participate in district sports. However, we received only a handful of returned reports this time around.
The LPNY has extended its deadline to October 3, 2026 to provide more time for county affiliates to engage with their elected state representatives and to return their reports to us. We hope that members of each county affiliate will take the time to visit, write, call or email their state assembly members and senators about these issues and mention any additional concerns that are relevant to them.
At this time we encourage you to emphasize the need for a minor-party nominating petition. In 39 states there is a clearer distinction between the “independent” and “minor party” concepts and after what we are seeing in Putnam County where the County Executive failed to secure an endorsement from the local affiliate and yet is running on a ballot line named libertarian (with our torch!) we need this more than ever. Let’s take the appropriate small steps toward regaining our ballot access. You’re encouraged to discuss the issue,- but not bombard -your legislators for a signature requirement change. The first step is to secure a minor party nominating petition that is distinctly ours. Recognition is key.
Please refer to the Quick Guide to Meeting with Your State Legislators for brief talking points and a list of district office addresses and phone numbers. If you need another copy, don’t hesitate to email [email protected] for one.
We thank you for contributing your valuable time to support this very important endeavor. As county leaders and active libertarians, you are the backbone of the Libertarian Party and your efforts continually kindle the flame of liberty!
Kindly return the accompanying form to the LPNY by email to the individuals listed below by Saturday, October 3, 2026.
In Liberty,
Catrina Rocco. Volunteer Director
Rich Purtell. Legislative Affairs Director