SANTA FE New Mexicos Libertarian Party has a lot at stake in the general election with former Gov. Gary Johnson running as the partys presidential nominee. <\/p>\n
A strong finish by Johnson would deliver a big boost to the Libertarians under terms of state election law, potentially making it easier for the partys candidates to secure a place on the ballot starting in 2014. <\/p>\n
Libertarians have a chance at becoming a major political party in New Mexico the same as Democrats and Republicans if Johnson wins at least 5 percent of the total vote in November. <\/p>\n
Thats a significant prize because it would remove hurdles that make it difficult for most third-party candidates to get on the ballot in the state. <\/p>\n
It certainly would improve things for the Libertarian Party, said Richard Winger, editor and publisher of Ballot Access News, which tracks election laws nationwide. I think you would see a lot of Libertarians run for office. <\/p>\n
Even if Johnson finishes strongly, theres still one more step for Libertarians. They would be required to increase their voter registration to make it more than one-third of 1 percent of New Mexicos total registered voters by early 2014. <\/p>\n
There are now about 2,430 registered Libertarians in New Mexico roughly 0.2 percent of the 1.2 million voters in the state. <\/p>\n
If Libertarians become a major party, they would select their nominees by holding a June primary election along with Democrats and Republicans. Candidates file petitions to run in their partys primary, and the winner is automatically on the general election ballot. <\/p>\n
Minor political parties use a different system, which has been the subject of much criticism and an unsuccessful lawsuit by Libertarians. <\/p>\n
To initially qualify as a political party in New Mexico, groups such as the Libertarians are required to submit petitions with a certain number of voter signatures. After a so-called minor party selects its nominees at a convention, the candidates must file separate petitions with election officials to get on the general election ballot. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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Libertarians Hope For Boost From Johnson<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" SANTA FE New Mexicos Libertarian Party has a lot at stake in the general election with former Gov. Gary Johnson running as the partys presidential nominee. A strong finish by Johnson would deliver a big boost to the Libertarians under terms of state election law, potentially making it easier for the partys candidates to secure a place on the ballot starting in 2014 Continue reading