2016 Libertarian Party presidential primaries explained

Election Name:2016 Libertarian Party presidential primaries
Country:United States
Type:primary
Ongoing:no
Party Name:no
Previous Year:2012
Election Date:March 1 – June 7, 2016
Next Year:2020
Votes For Election:Non-binding preferential vote
Candidate1:Gary Johnson
Color1:1F75FE
Home State1:New Mexico
States Carried1:5
Popular Vote1:22,642
Percentage1:55%
Candidate2:John McAfee
Color2:FE6F5E
Home State2:Tennessee
States Carried2:0
Popular Vote2:3,391
Percentage2:8%
Candidate4:Uncommitted
Color4:000000
States Carried4:1
Popular Vote4:3,209
Percentage4:8%
Candidate5:Austin Petersen
Color5:03C03C
Home State5:Missouri
States Carried5:0
Popular Vote5:3,066
Percentage5:7%
Libertarian nominee
Before Election:Gary Johnson
After Election:Gary Johnson
Map Size:400px

The 2016 Libertarian Party presidential primaries and caucuses allowed electors to indicate non-binding preferences for the Libertarian Party's presidential candidate. These differed from the Republican or Democratic presidential primaries and caucuses in that they did not appoint delegates to represent a candidate at the party's convention to select the party's nominee for the United States presidential election. The party's nominee for the 2016 presidential election was chosen directly by registered delegates at the 2016 Libertarian National Convention, which ran from May 26 to 30, 2016. The delegates nominated former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson for President and former Massachusetts Governor Bill Weld for Vice President.[1]

Four primaries and one caucus were held. Missouri and North Carolina held primaries on March 15, as an alternative ballot to other primaries such as those of the Republicans and Democrats. Gary Johnson, who had won the party's nomination in the 2012 presidential election, won North Carolina with 42%. In Missouri a plurality of voters chose the "Uncommitted" option over local candidate Austin Petersen, 40% to 29%, with Johnson not appearing on the Missouri ballot due to announcing his candidacy after the filing deadline. An Oregon primary was run on May 27 during the national convention, while the California primary was held on June 7 after the party's convention. The only caucus was in Minnesota on March 1, where 75% of the electors selected Gary Johnson. Jurisdictions in the 2016 primaries that did not participate in conventional roll call included: American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Oregon, Puerto Rico, and the U.S Virgin Islands.

Candidates

24 candidates were recognized by the Libertarian Party and 16 were ultimately eligible for the presidential nomination at the 2016 Libertarian National Convention.[2] [3] [4] [5] For a candidate to have been recognized by the Libertarian Party, they must have:

  1. had a campaign website;
  2. been a dues-paying member of the party;
  3. met all U.S. Constitutional requirements to serve as President; and
  4. not have simultaneously been a candidate for another political party.[6]

Of the recognized candidates, eight did not run in any primary or caucus: Joey Berry, Brian Briggs, Thomas Clements, Malisia Garcia, Kevin McCormick, Robert Milnes, Mike Shannon and Heidi Zeman. The other ten recognized candidates as well as three unrecognized candidates – John David Hale (who was disrecognized because he was under 35 and so ineligible to serve as President), Nathan Norman and Merry Susan Nehls – stood in at least one primary or caucus, and appear in the table below. Five recognized candidates withdrew: Cecil Ince, Steve Kerbel, Joy Waymire, Bart Lower and Donald Eugene Lowe.[2] [7] [8] [9]

CandidateProfessionCampaignOn primary or caucus ballotPopular vote
MN
NC
MO
NE
OR[10]
CA
data-sort-value="Johnson, Gary"
Gary Johnson
29th
Governor of New Mexico

(1995–2003)

(campaign • positions • website)
Running mate: Bill Weld[11]
data-sort-value="20492"22,642
data-sort-value="McAfee, John"
John McAfee
Founder and CEO of McAfee, Inc.
(1987–1994)

(website)
Running mate: Judd Weiss[12]
data-sort-value="3054"3,391
data-sort-value="Petersen, Austin"
Austin Petersen
Owner and founder of The Libertarian Republic
(2012–present)

(website)
data-sort-value="2865"3,066
data-sort-value="Smith, Rhett"
Rhett Smith
Private security officer(website)data-sort-value="1531"1,678
data-sort-value="Feldman, Marc Allan"
Marc Allan
Feldman
[13] [14]
Anesthesiologist at the Cleveland Clinic
(1998–2016)

(website)
data-sort-value="1109"1,219
data-sort-value="Hale, John David"
John David Hale
Studentdata-sort-value="1108"1,199
data-sort-value="Waymire, Joy"
Joy Waymire
Ranch foreman(website)
Withdrew: April 13, 2016[15] (endorsed John McAfee)[16]
data-sort-value="1078"1,189
data-sort-value="Kerbel, Steve"
Steve Kerbel
Businessman and entrepreneur
(website)
Withdrew: March 16, 2016
(endorsed Gary Johnson)[17]
data-sort-value="1029"1,098
data-sort-value="Robinson, Jr., Jack"
Jack Robinson, Jr.
Businessman and inventor(website)data-sort-value="729"808
data-sort-value="Perry, Darryl"
Darryl W. Perry
Owner and Managing Editor of
Free Press Publications

(website)
Running mate: Will Coley[18]
data-sort-value="600"662
data-sort-value="Ince, Cecil"
Cecil Ince
Owner of Ince Films
(website)
Withdrew: March 17, 2016[19]
data-sort-value="562"625
data-sort-value="Reid, Derrick Michael"
Derrick Michael Reid
Political analyst and retired engineer(website)data-sort-value="494"543
data-sort-value="Nehls, Merry Susan"
Merry Susan Nehls
data-sort-value="34"34
data-sort-value="Dunham, Keenan"
Keenan Dunham
(website)data-sort-value="18"18
data-sort-value="Norman, Nathan"
Nathan Norman
Entertainer
(website)
data-sort-value="8"8
data-sort-value="Sterling, Shawna Joy"
Shawna Joy Sterling
Pastoral Counselor
(website)
data-sort-value="1"1
Colspan=11Alternate ballot options:
data-sort-value="No preference/ None of the above/ Uncommitted"No preference/
None of the above/
Uncommitted
N/Adata-sort-value="3209"3,209

Timeline of the race

Background

The 2016 United States presidential election was the twelfth contested election for the Libertarian Party of the United States. The 2004 presidential election saw Libertarian nominee Michael Badnarik appear on ballots in 48 states plus the District of Columbia. He received 0.3% of the popular vote, and came fourth behind the two major parties' nominees as well as third-placed independent Ralph Nader.[20] In the 2008 election, Bob Barr was nominated as the Libertarian Parties's candidate for the presidency and had ballot access to 45. However, Barr insignificantly improved upon Badnarik's performance, capturing only 0.4% of the popular vote in an election that also saw Nader finish a strong third behind the Democratic and Republican parties.[21]

Having received minimal publicity in previous elections, which contributed to the low voting share that the party received, the Libertarian Party gained significant exposure and media attention in the lead-up to the 2012 Libertarian National Convention and the 2012 presidential election, starting with former two term New Mexico governor Gary Johnson's announcement of his presidential run with the Party.[22] [23] Using the publicity gained from the announcement, Johnson praised the Libertarian Party and championed their beliefs through interviews and public statements, which were often profane and harshly critical of both the Democratic and Republican parties. Johnson won the nomination at the 2012 Libertarian National Convention running on a platform of being more fiscally conservative than Republican nominee Mitt Romney and more socially liberal than Democratic President Barack Obama. Johnsons's campaign for the presidency focused mostly on upholding the continued publicity gained by the Libertarian Party due to his campaign and gaining support from independents and dissenting Democratic and Republican voters, often through echoing resentment towards the two parties. This included a court challenge against the Commission on Presidential Debates by Johnson that sought to include him in the official presidential election debates.[24] [25]

On election day, Johnson oversaw a relatively sharp rise in the Libertarian Party's vote total, earning 1% of the popular vote, which equated to 1,275,821 votes, in the 48 states plus D.C. where the Libertarian Party had ballot access.[26] The result was double the number Bob Barr received in 2008, and made the Libertarian's the most popular third party in the election.[27] In the election Johnson received the most votes ever for the Libertarian Party nominee, passing Ed Clark's candidacy in 1980. His campaign received a largest vote total for a third-party presidential candidacy since Ralph Nader's 2000 campaign.[28] [29]

January 2015 to January 2016: Early candidates

On January 7, physician Marc Allen Feldman became one of the first candidates to enter the race for the 2016 nomination. Over the following months, candidacies were announced by Joy Waymire, Cecil Ince, Steve Kerbel, Shawna Joy Sterling, Derrick Michael Reid, and Rhett Smith. In early September, candidates entering the race included John David Hale, Jack Robinson Jr, and Austin Petersen.

On December 24, 2015, antivirus software pioneer John McAfee abandoned his previous effort to run as the candidate of a newly created Cyber Party, and announced he would instead seek the Libertarian nomination.[30] He had previously announced that his Cyber Party running mate would be Ken Rutkowski, but Rutkowski did not join him in seeking the Libertarian nomination.[31] [32]

Gary Johnson formally announced his candidacy for the 2016 Libertarian presidential nomination, in an interview with Neil Cavuto on the Fox Business Network program Coast to Coast, on January 6, 2016.[33]

April 2016: Top tier emerges

Though the Libertarian Party has little to no scientific polling and does not conduct binding primaries and caucuses, the first nationally televised pre-nominating convention Libertarian Party debate featured three candidates widely regarded as the leading contenders for the nomination: former New Mexico governor Gary Johnson, founder and CEO of McAfee Inc. John McAfee and owner and founder of The Libertarian Republic Austin Petersen.[34] A later debate hosted by RT America featured Marc Allan Feldman, Kevin McCormick, and Darryl Perry, however this did not receive as much media attention as the one featuring the three candidates in the top tier.[35]

Early May 2016: Ventura declines to run

In several late 2015 interviews including those on The Alan Colmes Show and In Depth with Graham Bensinger, Jesse Ventura publicly flirted with the idea of running for president in 2016 as a Libertarian.[36] Beginning on February 29, 2016, Ventura again made headlines following an announcement that if Bernie Sanders were to lose the Democratic Party nomination to Hillary Clinton, he would launch a presidential campaign under the Libertarian Party. Ventura subsequently appeared on RT, CNN, Alex Jones and various local radio outlets the following several days reiterating interest in a presidential campaign. He likewise revealed that he was formally invited to the 2016 Libertarian National Convention in Orlando, Florida by party leaders and that he would announce by the end of March if he were to go that route.[37]

On March 3, 2016 Ventura released a shortlist of preliminary campaign platforms if he were to run for president. Included were rebuilding infrastructure, focusing on alternative energy, ending all foreign wars and following the teachings of Major General Smedley Butler, ending the war on drugs and reforming campaign financing.[38] Ventura ultimately decided not to seek the presidency, allowing his self determined deadline of May 1 to pass without an announcement. In mid-July, Ventura wrote an article declaring his support for Gary Johnson.[39]

Late May 2016: Johnson consolidates support

After Donald Trump won the Indiana primary on May 3, Texas Senator Ted Cruz and Ohio Governor John Kasich suspended their campaigns, Donald Trump became the presumptive nominee for the Republican Party.[40] [41] This sparked the Stop Trump movement, also referred to as #NeverTrump to consider running an independent candidate of their own such as former Texas governor Rick Perry, former Republican nominee Mitt Romney or Nebraska senator Ben Sasse, all of whom declined to run.[42] As the filing deadline for Texas and other states quickly passed, the Libertarian Party gained national recognition when Gary Johnson was included in a national poll conducted by Monmouth University and received 11 percent.[43] Johnson was quickly deemed the front-runner for the Libertarian Party presidential nomination and was featured in subsequent polls.[44] [45] Johnson's name was also Googled more times than the Libertarian Party itself, and he was featured in many interviews by mainstream media publications, something that none of the other Libertarian candidates had been able to do at that point in the campaign.[46] During the 2016 Libertarian National Convention various news networks flocked to the convention, and C-SPAN covered the results.[1] [47] Johnson won nomination on the second ballot of the convention.[48]

Polling

Online LP polling

Poll sourceSample
size<
--! style="font-size:88%"Margin of
error-->
Date(s)FeldmanGarciaInceJohnsonKerbelMcAfeeMcCormickPerryPetersenReidRobinsonSmithSterlingWaymireZemanOthers
Libertarian Party website[49] 9,102± 1.0%-->Mar 17–311%nilnil58%7%9%5%13%nilnilnilnilnilnilNone of the Above 1%/
Other 4%
Libertarian Party website[50] 8,609± 1.1%-->Feb 20–
Mar 17
1%nil54%4%14%2%18%nil1%nil1%nilNone of the Above 2%/
Other 4%

Primaries and caucuses

Minnesota caucuses

Type: OpenThe Minnesota caucus was run on March 1, 2016, using ranked choice voting. Gary Johnson took over 75% of the 226 first-preference votes cast, with John McAfee second on 12% and Austin Petersen third on 8%.[51]

Minnesota Libertarian presidential caucus, March 1, 2016
CandidateVotesPercentage
Gary Johnson17176%
John McAfee2612%
Austin Petersen178%
Darryl Perry42%
Cecil Ince21%
Steve Kerbel21%
None of the above21%
Marc Allan Feldman10%
Shawna Joy Sterling10%
Total226100%

Missouri primary

Type: OpenThe Missouri primary ran on March 15, 2016, alongside those of the Republican, Democratic, and Constitution parties. 40% of the electorate voted to stand uncommitted to any candidate. Austin Petersen, running in his home state, finished second with 29% of the statewide vote, which was double that of Steve Kerbel from Colorado, who finished third with 14%. Petersen comfortably won the support of voters in the state's capital, Jefferson City, and its surrounding counties, but fell heavily behind the uncommitted vote in the state's two largest cities, Kansas City and St. Louis. Kerbel won three counties around Springfield, while Marc Allan Feldman, Cecil Ince, and Rhett Smith all won a sprawl of counties across the state; in most of these counties, however, only a single vote was cast. No votes were cast for Libertarian Party candidates in the northwestern counties of Harrison, Holt, Mercer, and Worth.[52]

Missouri Libertarian presidential primary, March 15, 2016
CandidateVotesPercentage
Uncommitted1,17040%
Austin Petersen85129%
Steve Kerbel40114%
Marc Allan Feldman2398%
Cecil Ince1345%
Rhett Smith993%
Total2,894100%

North Carolina primary

Type: Semi-closedThe North Carolina primary was also run on March 15, 2016, and also alongside the primaries of the Republican, Democratic, and Constitution parties. Gary Johnson won against competing candidates with 42% of the primary vote, overcoming 35% of the electorate who remained uncommitted to any candidate, and far ahead of third-place finisher John David Hale with 6%. Most urban counties showed majority support for Johnson, particularly in the state's largest city, Charlotte, and its capital, Raleigh, while uncommitted votes mostly came from rural counties across the state. Many counties were tied between Johnson and the uncommitted vote, but a number of counties in the east recorded ties between Johnson and other candidates such as John David Hale and Joy Waymire, albeit with a small number of votes. In Gates County, a four-way tie was recorded when Gary Johnson, Cecil Ince, and Derrick Michael Reid recorded one vote each, with an additional uncommitted voter accounted for. Tyrrell was the only county in the entire state where Johnson did not win or tie; instead Hale tied with an uncommitted voter, with one vote each.[53]

North Carolina Libertarian presidential primary, March 15, 2016
CandidateVotesPercentage
Gary Johnson2,41442%
No Preference2,06736%
John David Hale3296%
Joy Waymire2685%
Austin Petersen1893%
Darryl Perry1182%
Steve Kerbel1092%
Derrick Michael Reid741%
Cecil Ince721%
Jack Robinson, Jr.701%
Marc Allan Feldman661%
Rhett Smith431%
Total5,819100%

Nebraska primary

Type: Semi-closedThe Nebraska primary was held on May 10, 2016. Independents and registered Libertarians were allowed to vote in the state's Libertarian primary. The Nebraska Primary marked the third largest victory for the Johnson campaign, despite the most recent poll having shown him only 1% above Petersen nationally.

Nebraska Libertarian presidential primary, May 10, 2016[54]
CandidateVotesPercentage
Gary Johnson36652%
Austin Petersen13519%
John McAfee12117%
Marc Allan Feldman487%
Steve Kerbel355%
Total705100%

Oregon primary

The Oregon primary was completed on May 27, 2016, the last day to receive mail-in ballots.

Oregon Libertarian presidential primary, May 27, 2016[55] [56]
CandidateVotesPercentage
Gary Johnson42257%
John McAfee10514%
Merry Susan Nehls345%
Austin Petersen (write-in)253%
Darryl Perry213%
Keenan Dunham182%
Derrick Michael Reid101%
Nathan Norman81%
Rhett Smith61%
NOTA (write-in)20%
Other write-ins9112%
Total742100%

California primary

Type: Semi-closed[57] In the California primary on June 7, the Libertarian Party appeared alongside the Republicans, Democrats, the Green Party (as part of their own series of primaries), the American Independent Party and the Peace and Freedom Party.[58]

This non-binding primary took place after the 2016 Libertarian National Convention.

California Libertarian presidential primary, June 7, 2016[59]
CandidateVotesPercentage
Gary Johnson19,29462%
John McAfee3,13910%
Austin Petersen1,8536%
Rhett Smith1,5315%
Joy Waymire9233%
John David Hale8733%
Marc Allan Feldman8673%
Jack Robinson, Jr.7392%
Steve Kerbel5562%
Darryl Perry5212%
Derrick Michael Reid4622%
Cecil Ince4171%
Total31,175100%

2016 National Convention

See also: 2016 Libertarian National Convention.

Libertarian National Convention Presidential vote, 2016 – 1st round[60]
Candidatefirst ballotPercentage
Gary Johnson45850%
Austin Petersen19721%
John McAfee13114%
Darryl Perry637%
Marc Allen Feldman586%
Kevin McCormick91%
None of the above51%
Ron Paul (write-in)1nil
Vermin Supreme (write-in)1nil
Heidi Zemen (write-in)1nil
Derrick Grayson (write-in)1nil
Totals925100%

No candidate achieved the majority on the first ballot, so there was a second ballot vote. After finishing last of the six nominated candidates, McCormick was excluded from the second ballot.

Libertarian National Convention Presidential vote, 2016 – 2nd ballot
CandidateSecond BallotPercentage
Gary Johnson51856%
Austin Petersen20322%
John McAfee13114%
Darryl Perry526%
Marc Allen Feldman182%
None of the above2nil
Derrick Grayson (write-in)1nil
Michael Shannon (write-in)1nil
Kevin McCormick (write-in)1nil
Rhett Smith (write-in)1nil
Totals928100%

Endorsements

Gary Johnson campaign

See main article: List of Gary Johnson 2016 presidential campaign endorsements.

Political figures

Mayors and other municipal or county leaders
International political figures
Other politicians

Businesspeople

Actors and comedians

Athletes and sports figures

Musicians and artists

Commentators, writers and columnists

Radio hosts

Social and political activists

John McAfee campaign

Austin Petersen campaign

Commentators, writers, and columnists

Others

Campaign finance

As of March 31, 2016 three candidates had reported their fundraising amounts to the Federal Election Commission; Gary Johnson, John McAfee and Austin Petersen.

Campaign committee (as of March 31)Total spentSuspended
campaign
Money raisedMoney spentCash on handDebt
data-sort-value="Johnson, Gary"Gary Johnson[97] $278,976$243,924$35,031$0$243,924Election
data-sort-value="McAfee, John"John McAfee[98] $8,057$7,858$149$0$7,858May 29, 2016
data-sort-value="Petersen, Austin"Austin Petersen[99] $112,812$95,441$17,371$0$95,441May 29, 2016

Vice presidential selection

As of May 21, 2016, there were nine vice presidential candidates running.[100]

The Libertarian Party's vice presidential candidate is elected by the delegates at the LNC after the presidential nominee is announced. Vice presidential candidates are often endorsed or preferred by presidential candidates, but some have entered without a specific presidential nominee in mind, or a preference from any of them.

Bill Weld, former Governor of Massachusetts, was nominated for Vice President after having previously been announced as Johnson's intended running mate. The selection proved controversial within the party, but also resulted in a spike in media coverage of the prospective ticket. Two governors running as a ticket attracted attention, in part because it had not happened for any party since the 1948 United States presidential election.

As with Johnson in the presidential nomination, Weld narrowly failed to secure a majority on the first ballot. He was nominated on the second ballot, defeating runner-up Larry Sharpe.

See also

Debates:

Presidential primaries

National Conventions:

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Tau . Byron . Libertarians Pick Gary Johnson and William Weld as Presidential Election Ticket . Wsj.com . 2016-05-29 . 2016-06-02.
  2. Web site: 2016 Presidential Candidates. LP.org. March 17, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20151226172344/https://www.lp.org/candidates/presidential-candidates-2016. December 26, 2015.
  3. Web site: 2016 Presidential Candidates. LP.org. May 14, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160305133617/https://www.lp.org/candidates/presidential-candidates-2016/. March 5, 2016.
  4. Web site: 2016 Presidential Candidates. LP.org. May 6, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160503092304/https://www.lp.org/candidates/presidential-candidates-2016. May 3, 2016.
  5. Web site: 2016 Presidential Candidates. LP.org. November 4, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160510221058/https://www.lp.org/candidates/presidential-candidates-2016. May 10, 2016.
  6. Web site: 2016 Presidential Candidates . Libertarian National Committee . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160307123306/https://www.lp.org/candidates/presidential-candidates-2016 . 2016-03-07 .
  7. Web site: Field. Rose. Libertarian Party Candidates for President – Part One. Libertarian Party of Iowa. March 7, 2016. January 26, 2016.
  8. Web site: Presidential Candidate Switches to the Libertarian Party. The Libertarian Republic. March 2016. en-US. March 25, 2016.
  9. Candidate Marc A. Feldman, former anesthesiologist at the Cleveland Clinic, fifth-place finisher at the 2016 Libertarian National Convention, and former member of the Libertarian National Committee, died from unknown causes on June 22, 2016. Web site: Welch. Matt. 5th Place Libertarian Presidential Finisher Marc Allan Feldman Dead At 56. Reason. June 23, 2016. June 24, 2016.
  10. Web site: 2016 Primary Candidates. April 30, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160510021439/http://www.lporegon.org/index.php/2016-elections/2016-primary-candidates. May 10, 2016. dead. mdy-all.
  11. News: Peoples. Steve. Libertarian Gary Johnson secures running mate. May 18, 2016. Associated Press. May 18, 2016. April 12, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170412121149/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/ea9c644d880c49baaeeee7a360b5b070/libertarian-gary-johnson-secures-running-mate. dead.
  12. Web site: O'Brien. Avens. Libertarian Presidential Candidate John McAfee Announces VP Choice. The Libertarian Republic. April 2016. May 18, 2016.
  13. Web site: Modern Healthcare staff. Meet the physician candidate who's not Rand Paul. Modern Healthcare. Crain Communications. March 7, 2016. April 11, 2015.
  14. Web site: Goodrich. Barry. Candid Candidate. Cleveland Magazine. Great Lakes Publishing Company. March 7, 2016. May 2015.
  15. Web site: Security Check Required. Facebook. April 30, 2016.
  16. Web site: Joy4ThePeoplesVoice.com – Home. Joy 4 the People's Voice. April 30, 2016.
  17. Web site: Lesiak. Krzysztof. Steve Kerbel ends presidential campaign, endorses Gary Johnson. American Third Party Report. March 16, 2016. March 17, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160325125914/http://amthirdpartyreport.com/2016/03/16/steve-kerbel-ends-presidential-campaign-endorses-gary-johnson/. March 25, 2016. dead. mdy-all.
  18. Web site: Libertarian Presidential candidate Darryl W. Perry selects Muslim running mate Will Coley. Darryl W. Perry President 2016. May 18, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160510151805/http://darrylwperry.com/darryl-w-perry-2016-campaigns-historic-announcement/. May 10, 2016. dead. mdy-all.
  19. Web site: Harlos. Caryn. Libertarian Party: Cecil Ince Suspends Presidential Campaign, Turns Eyes Back to Missouri. Independent Political Report. March 17, 2016. March 17, 2016.
  20. Web site: 2004 Election Results. Federal Electoral Commission. United States Congress. March 17, 2016. January 2005.
  21. Web site: 2008 Election Results for the U.S. President, the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives. Federal Electoral Commission. United States Congress. March 17, 2016. January 2009.
  22. Web site: Gary Johnson makes switch to Libertarian Party official . . December 28, 2011 . December 28, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120105130904/http://www.unionleader.com/article/20111228/NEWS0605/111229923 . January 5, 2012 . dead . mdy-all .
  23. Web site: 'Liberated' Gary Johnson seeks Libertarian nomination . CNN . December 28, 2011 . December 28, 2011 . Stewart, Rebecca . August 17, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200817125901/https://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/12/28/liberated-gary-johnson-seeks-libertarian-nomination/ . dead .
  24. Web site: Little. Morgan. Lawsuit highlights difficulty of third-party involvement in debates. Los Angeles Times. March 17, 2016. September 27, 2012.
  25. Web site: Reilly. Peter J.. Debate Proceeds Despite Green Party Lawsuit – Hear Jill Stein On Defense Here. Forbes. March 17, 2016. October 22, 2012.
  26. Web site: Federal Elections 2012 – Election Results for the U.S. President, the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives. Federal Electoral Commission. United States Congress. March 17, 2016. January 2013.
  27. Web site: Pfeiffer. Eric. Gary Johnson runs most successful Libertarian campaign in party's history. Yahoo! News. Yahoo!. March 17, 2016. November 7, 2012.
  28. Web site: Gary Johnson Pulls One Million Votes, One Percent . . November 7, 2012 . November 7, 2012 . Tuccile, J. D..
  29. News: Libertarian Party buoyant; Greens hopeful . United Press International. Harrington. Gerry. 2012-11-09.
  30. Web site: McAfee will run as Libertarian Party candidate for president. Swartz. Jon. December 24, 2015. USA Today. December 24, 2015.
  31. Web site: Garcia . Ahiza . John McAfee announces he's running for President . September 8, 2015 . CNN . September 8, 2015 .
  32. Web site: Trujillo . Mario . Software pioneer McAfee files paperwork to run for president . The Hill . September 9, 2015 . September 8, 2015.
  33. Web site: Libertarian Gary Johnson launches White House bid . . January 6, 2016 . January 6, 2016 . Easley . Jonathan.
  34. News: Inside the Beltway: Libertarian hopefuls spar over Nazi-themed wedding cake on Fox forum . The Washington Times. Harper. Jennifer. 2016-06-02.
  35. Web site: J. Wilson . The Second Televised Libertarian Party Debate Will Be Hosted By RT America . Alibertarianfuture.com . 2016-05-05 . 2016-06-02 . June 4, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160604105813/https://alibertarianfuture.com/2016-libertarian-party-primaries/libertarian-party-debate-hosted-by-rt-america/ . dead .
  36. Web site: Jesse Ventura interview: I can steal presidential election in November. YouTube. December 23, 2015. Bensinger. Bensinger.
  37. Web site: Jesse Ventura Talks About Running For President. YouTube.
  38. Web site: Here's What a Jesse Ventura Presidency Would Look Like.... Ventura. Jesse. Ora.tv . 2016-03-03 . 2016-03-06.
  39. News: Why I'm voting for Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson for president . Jesse . Ventura . Jesse Ventura . . July 13, 2016 . July 15, 2016.
  40. Web site: Katie Glueck, Shane Goldmacher. Ted Cruz drops out of presidential race. Politico. May 3, 2016. 2016-06-02.
  41. Web site: Epstein. Reid J.. John Kasich Suspends Campaign, Leaving Donald Trump as GOP Nominee . WSJ.com . 2016-05-04 . 2016-06-02.
  42. Web site: No, a Third-Party Can't Steal Electoral College . New York Intelligencer. 2016-06-02.
  43. Web site: National: General Election Preview: Clinton Leads Trump, Cruz Not Kasich . Monmouth.edu . 2016-06-02 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160607155005/http://www.monmouth.edu/assets/0/32212254770/32212254991/32212254992/32212254994/32212254995/30064771087/7714a05b-515f-4ad3-bdaa-e72a6e5f8e61.pdf . 2016-06-07 . dead .
  44. News: Malone . Clare . Pay Attention To Libertarian Gary Johnson; He's Pulling 10 Percent vs. Trump And Clinton . FiveThirtyEight . 2016-05-24 . 2016-06-02.
  45. Web site: Poll: Trump tops Clinton, both seen as deeply flawed candidates. Blanton. Dana. . 2016-05-18 . 2016-06-02.
  46. Web site: Ed Krayewski. Google Searches for "Libertarian Party" Surge After Ted Cruz Drops Out – Hit & Run . Reason.com . 2016-05-04 . 2016-06-02.
  47. News: Watkins . Eli . Libertarians pick ticket, slam Trump – CNNPolitics.com . CNN . 2016-05-29 . 2016-06-02.
  48. Web site: Gary Johnson Wins the Libertarian Party's presidential nomination. New York Intelligencer. Danner. Chas. May 29, 2016. February 11, 2020.
  49. Web site: Poll #2: Who do you want to be the 2016 Libertarian Party nominee for President?. April 2, 2016. April 2, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160413135926/http://www.lp.org/poll/poll-2-who-do-you-want-to-be-the-2016-libertarian-party-nominee-for-president. April 13, 2016. dead. mdy-all.
  50. Web site: Who do you want to be the Libertarian Party nominee for President?. March 17, 2016. April 2, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160412043328/http://www.lp.org/poll/who-do-you-want-to-be-the-libertarian-party-nominee-for-president. April 12, 2016. dead. mdy-all.
  51. Web site: 2016 LPMN Caucus Results of presidential preference poll. Libertarian Party of Minnesota. March 20, 2016. March 1, 2016.
  52. Web site: State of Missouri – Election Night Results . . . March 16, 2016 . March 16, 2016 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160318113410/http://enr.sos.mo.gov/EnrNet/ . March 18, 2016 .
  53. Web site: NC SBE Contest Results. North Carolina State Board of Elections. Government of North Carolina. March 16, 2016. March 16, 2015.
  54. Web site: Unofficial Results: Primary Election – May 10, 2016. Nebraska Secretary of State. May 10, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160511034536/http://electionresults.sos.ne.gov/resultsSW.aspx?text=Race&type=PRS&map=CTY. May 11, 2016. dead. mdy-all.
  55. Web site: 2016 Election Rules. The Libertarian Party of Oregon. March 19, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160327113515/http://www.lporegon.org/index.php/2016-elections/2016-election-rules. March 27, 2016. dead. mdy-all.
  56. Web site: Oregon Libertarian Primary Raw Results. June 8, 2016. Independent Political Report. June 8, 2016.
  57. Web site: No Party Preference Information – California Secretary of State. www.sos.ca.gov. April 1, 2018.
  58. Web site: Generally Recognized Presidential Candidates – June 7, 2016, Presidential Primary Election. Office of the Secretary of State of California. Government of California. March 7, 2016. February 10, 2016.
  59. Web site: Presidential Primary Election – Statement of Vote, June 7, 2016. Office of the Secretary of State of California. Government of California. August 8, 2016.
  60. May 29, 2016 . Libertarian Party National Convention. en . May 29, 2016 . Live Video. . C-SPAN.
  61. Web site: Mayor Krauss on Twitter: "I watched the last two debates. This morning I went looking for my Gary Johnson for President (2012) yard sign. Time to re-use" . Twitter . 2016-03-11 . 2016-04-27.
  62. Web site: Daniel Hannan on Twitter: "If it really does come down to Donald Trump vs Hillary Clinton, I know how I'd vote. Step forward @GovGaryJohnson, Libertarian candidate." . Twitter . 2016-03-02 . 2016-03-15.
  63. Web site: Ed Clark Endorses Gary Johnson . Gary Johnson 2016 . 2016-03-03 . 2016-03-15 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160422190646/https://garyjohnson2016.com/ed-clark-record-setting-lp-candidate-endorses-gov-gary-johnson-for-president/ . 2016-04-22 . dead .
  64. Web site: Mark Hinkle, Former National Libertarian Party Chairman, Endorses Gov. Gary Johnson for President. garyjohnson2016.com. April 17, 2016. March 21, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160406033025/https://garyjohnson2016.com/mark-hinkle-former-national-libertarian-party-chairman-endorses-gov-gary-johnson-for-president/. April 6, 2016. dead. mdy-all.
  65. Web site: Geoff Neale, Former National Libertarian Party Chairman, Endorses Gov. Gary Johnson for President Gary Johnson 2016. garyjohnson2016.com. May 13, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160514011811/https://garyjohnson2016.com/geoff-neale-former-national-libertarian-party-chairman-endorses-gov-gary-johnson-for-president/. May 14, 2016. dead. mdy-all.
  66. Web site: Former National Libertarian Party and Noted Ballot Access Advocate Bill Redpath Endorses Gov. Gary Johnson for President. Gary Johnson Campaign page. March 18, 2016. March 17, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160327030230/https://garyjohnson2016.com/former-national-libertarian-party-chairman-and-noted-ballot-access-advocate-bill-redpath-endorses-gov-gary-johnson-for-president/. March 27, 2016. dead. mdy-all.
  67. Web site: Lesiak. Krzysztof. Steve Kerbel ends presidential campaign, endorses Gary Johnson. American Third Party Report. March 16, 2016. March 17, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160325125914/http://amthirdpartyreport.com/2016/03/16/steve-kerbel-ends-presidential-campaign-endorses-gary-johnson/. March 25, 2016. dead. mdy-all.
  68. Web site: Wilson. J.. The Most Successful Libertarian In Virginia History, Robert Sarvis, Endorsed Gary Johnson. A Libertarian Future. April 17, 2016. en-US. April 1, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160408010431/http://alibertarianfuture.com/2016-libertarian-party-nomination/robert-sarvis-endorsed-gary-johnson/. April 8, 2016. dead.
  69. Web site: Drew Carey on Twitter: "Just took the political issues quiz at – Not at all surprised I'm 95% w Gary Johnson." . Twitter . 2016-05-21.
  70. Web site: Drew Carey on Twitter: "@JamieJohnsonUSA #GaryJohnson2016 ..." . Twitter . 2016-03-03 . 2016-05-21.
  71. Web site: Drew Carey on Twitter. Twitter. June 7, 2016.
  72. Web site: Doug Stanhope on Twitter: "I feel no shame in throwing away my vote for @GovGaryJohnson since I'm a drunk and have no idea what most of #DemDebate are talking about." . Twitter . 2016-03-09 . 2016-03-15.
  73. Web site: Randy Wayne on Twitter: "Keep up the good fight @GovGaryJohnson! I'm spreading the word. #Libertarian4Prez" . Twitter . 2016-03-06 . 2016-03-15.
  74. Web site: Josh Wolf on Twitter: "@_mbluther @GovGaryJohnson big time" . Twitter . 2016-03-04 . 2016-03-15.
  75. Web site: Teller on Twitter: "Putting my money where my mouth isn't: I just contributed the maximum donation to Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson @PresidentGaryJ." . Twitter . 2016-03-16 . 2016-04-27.
  76. Web site: Gary Johnson Campaign Releases List of Libertarian Movement, LP Leaders Endorses Gary Johnson 2016. http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20160607192915/https://garyjohnson2016.com/5049%2D2/. dead. June 7, 2016. garyjohnson2016.com. May 27, 2016.
  77. Web site: Sean Waltman on Twitter: "@GovGaryJohnson or @RandPaul. Preferably Johnson, because he didn't switch to Libertarian Light. Chances are slim." . Twitter . 2016-01-21 . 2016-03-15.
  78. Web site: Gov. Gary Johnson on Twitter: "Thanks for the tweet! Yes, there is really only one 3rd Party "lane". #libertarian #tlot #nirvana" . Twitter . 2016-03-22 . 2016-05-21.
  79. Web site: Jay Cost on Twitter: "I'm with him ➡️ @GovGaryJohnson. -He's not a crook -He's not a nut -He ran a state -I agree with about 60% of what he says. Good enough." . . 2012-04-10 . 2016-07-16.
  80. Web site: Matt Welch on Twitter: "Oh, I #FeelTheJohnson. Just spitballing here! " . Twitter . 2016-03-18 . 2016-04-27.
  81. Web site: Kmele on Twitter: "@phipps @GovGaryJohnson" . Twitter . 2016-02-10 . 2016-05-21.
  82. Web site: Vow: If Not Rand Paul, Gary Johnson . . June 24, 2016.
  83. Web site: Adrian Wyllie – Rand Paul has suspended his Presidential... . Facebook . 2016-02-03 . 2016-02-22.
  84. Web site: Keith Larson: Voting to get a good night's sleep . . June 24, 2016.
  85. Web site: Koch-Funded Efforts To Win Hispanics Crashing, Burning. huffingtonpost.com/. May 25, 2016. May 27, 2016.
  86. Web site: Noted Third Party Advocate Richard Winger Endorses Gov. Gary Johnson for President. garyjohnson2016.com. May 13, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160425042419/https://garyjohnson2016.com/noted-third-party-advocate-richard-winger-endorses-gov-gary-johnson-for-president/. April 25, 2016. dead. mdy-all.
  87. Web site: Lesiak. Krzysztof. Adam Kokesh endorses John McAfee. Independent Political Report. May 17, 2016. May 18, 2016.
  88. Web site: McAfee. John. Nevada Assemblyman John Moore, the most prominent.... Facebook. May 31, 2016.
  89. Web site: Smith. L. Neil. My 2016 Endorsement. The Libertarian Enterprise. May 18, 2016.
  90. Web site: Press Release – Official Announcement . May 18, 2016.
  91. Web site: Libertarians Should Go With Austin Petersen . The Resurgent . 2016-05-25 . 2016-05-25 . May 25, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160525205451/http://theresurgent.com/libertarians-should-go-with-austin-petersen/ . dead . /
  92. Web site: The Nicholas J. Fuentes Show 1-28-16 – Episode 4 – Libertarian Austin Petersen . YouTube . 2016-01-28 . 2016-01-28. /
  93. Web site: Conservative Icon Mary Matalin Endorses Austin Petersen for President . Thelibertarianrepublic.com . May 24, 2016 . 2016-05-24.
  94. Web site: Tang . Wang . Sean Haugh endorses Austin Petersen for President . Independent Political Report . 2016-01-03 . 2016-05-24.
  95. Web site: Petersen Picks Up Key Libertarian Party Endorsement. Martinez, Resmo.
  96. Web site: Petersen Endorsed by Libertarian Comedian Smith. May 4, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160422185938/http://austinpetersen2016.com/petersen-endorsed-libertarian-comedian-dave-smith/. April 22, 2016. dead. mdy-all.
  97. Web site: Details for Committee ID : C00605568 . Fec.gov. May 13, 2016.
  98. Web site: Details for Committee ID : C00602631. Fec.gov. May 13, 2016.
  99. Web site: Details for Candidate ID : P60017563. Fec.gov. May 13, 2016.
  100. Web site: 2016 Vice-Presidential Candidates. Libertarian Party. 2016-05-22. https://web.archive.org/web/20160519150853/http://www.lp.org/2016-vice-presidential-candidates/. 2016-05-19. dead.
  101. Web site: Libertarian Party. Ustream. May 29, 2016. May 29, 2016. May 30, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160530074840/http://www.ustream.tv/channel/libertarian-party1. dead.