The North Dakota Libertarian Party achieved a new milestone in Tuesdays general election in garnering enough votes to attain its own column as a recognized party on the 2016 ballot.

According to North Dakota Century Code, a political party must attain at least 5 percent of the total votes cast in order to be a recognized party on the next elections ballot.

On Tuesday, the Libertarian Partys secretary of state candidate, Roland Riemers, took 5.3 percent of the vote according to unofficial results. In nonpresidential elections, parties must attain at least 5 percent for a partys candidate for attorney general or secretary of state to be recognized as a party.

In presidential elections parties must attain at least 5 percent for a partys candidate for president and vice president or governor to be recognized as a party.

Riemers vote total achieves this requirement for the first time in the state partys history.

Weve been working on this for the last 15 to 20 years. It gives us credibility, Riemers said.

In the past, the Libertarian Party has had to get candidates on the ballot by circulating petitions, according to Riemer, who said gaining access as a recognized party will allow the party to save the time and money in building its organization and candidate recruitment.

Well pretty much have to commit ourselves to the statewide races until the party grows enough, Riemers said.

To maintain its status beyond 2016, the Libertarians will need to maintain at least 5 percent of the vote in at least one of the designated races in presidential and nonpresidential election cycles in future elections.

I dont think it changes things too much moving forward, Jason Flohrs, North Dakota Republican Partys executive director, said.

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Libertarians to be recognized on 2016 ballot