Frequently Asked Questions

Are Libertarians Liberal or Conservative?

Libertarians are neither. Unlike liberals or conservatives, Libertarians advocate a high degree of both personal and economic liberty.

Libertarians advocate freedom in economic matters, so we’re in favor of lowering and eliminating taxes, slashing bureaucratic regulation of business, and charitable — rather than government — welfare.

Libertarians are also socially inclusive. We think each person should be free to make their own choices so long as they do not infringe on others’ rights. We oppose laws that seek to control people’s personal choices.

WHILE I AGREE WITH A LOT OF YOUR IDEAS, I'M NOT A FAN OF POLITICAL PARTIES, WHY SHOULD I JOIN THE LIBERTARIAN PARTY?

Because, like it or not, our political system is currently based on political parties. Many Libertarians would like to do away with the party system and open up elections so that voters have more options and more freedom.

But, as it stands now, working through the Libertarian Party is the best step for meaningful change.

Independents are now the largest voting block in America. By pulling the lever for the older parties, you only embolden the status-quo. You strengthen the political extremes. When you support Libertarians, you chip away at the two-party duopoly and help create a new system, where Americans have more options at the ballot box.

SHOULDN'T I JUST WITHDRAW MY CONSENT FROM THE ENTIRE SYSTEM?

Not all politicians are smart, but they can count. They count how many votes they get and how many votes their opponents got. Only a vote for a Libertarian sends a crystal clear message about what you value most: freedom.

If you want to send a message to the old party politicians, and encourage them to be better advocates for freedom, voting Libertarian is the clearest message you can send.

I PLAN ON VOTING LIBERTARIAN, BUT WHY SHOULD I BECOME A DUES-PAYING MEMBER?

Voting is very important and helpful. However, it takes a party infrastructure to recruit, train and support those candidates. And unfortunately it takes a lot of financial wherewithal to do all that. Please consider actively supporting the Libertarian Party as a dues-paying member.

As a member of the Libertarian Party you will:

Be directly supporting the cause. The Libertarian Party does not take special interest money or government funds; it relies on the support of people like you.
Belong to a party that fights for your freedom on all issues, all the time, and consistently defends the Constitution and Bill of Rights.
Receive our email newsletter and a full, one-year subscription to LP News, the Libertarian Party’s newspaper.
Have opportunities to meet other people who share your love for liberty and desire a better, more free and prosperous America.
Have a say in our party with your eligibility to be a delegate at our national convention.
Receive a custom membership card.

HOW LARGE IS THE LIBERTARIAN PARTY?

The Libertarian Party is active all across America. We have affiliates in every state and several hundred candidates on ballots every election cycle.

WHAT KIND OF OFFICES DO LIBERTARIANS RUN FOR AND HOLD?

There are many Libertarian mayors, city councilors, county executives, county council members, and state representatives. Libertarians proudly serve all across America.

During major election years, you can expect many millions of Americans to vote Libertarian. 2016 was an extra special year, with record-breaking numbers. We invite you to be part of this revolution.

WHAT KIND OF PEOPLE JOIN THE LIBERTARIAN PARTY?

People like you. People who used to be Republicans, Democrats, and independents – from all walks of life. They joined us because they realize that we’re the only political party working for their best interests. No matter who you are, where you come from, what you enjoy, what you do for a living, there are Libertarians just like you. We are probably the most diverse organization in America. What brings us together is our common concern for our basic rights and freedoms.

Those who join us realize that, unlike the two major parties, we place your liberties above all else. While the Republican and Democratic parties exist to maintain their own power, we exist to defend your rights…your liberties…to stand up for principle. We will not back down from a bully and we will not make exceptions when it comes to your rights.

HOW CAN I BECOME A LIBERTARIAN?

You can become a Libertarian by affirming that you oppose the use of force to achieve political goals.

By doing this you are saying that you don’t believe that anyone, including the government, should be able to bully people around…to take their money, their possessions, their lives…to force them to do things against their will.

By doing this you are proclaiming your support of liberty, for all people.

If you’d like to become a dues-paying member, we welcome you to help us grow our party and give liberty a voice nationwide.

For just $25 per year, you can become a Basic Member of the Libertarian Party.

More importantly, if you join our political party and become a Libertarian, you will stand with thousands of other Americans who are proudly committed to bringing about true freedom within our nation.