Take Part In History: Fall State Convention, Aug. 25

Link to the July Michigan Libertarian

By Emily Salvette, Secretary

In previous election cycles, the Libertarian Party of Michigan (LPM) has nominated and selected candidates for state and federal offices at their convention held in the spring of the election year.

This year is different – and historic.  For the first time in state history, the Libertarian Party will be on the ballot for Michigan’s August 7 primary, owing to the fact that we qualified for status as a major party with our number of votes for Gary Johnson in the 2016 election.

This first nominating convention, held under the same election laws as the Republican and Democratic Parties, will take place on Saturday, August 25, 2018 at the Wyndham Gardens Detroit Metro Airport.

Delegates to the convention will select our nominees for Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, and Attorney General. Up to two nominees for State Board of Education, MSU Board of Trustees, U of M Board of Regents, WSU Board of Governors, and Justice of the Supreme Court will be chosen as well.

Delegates will also debate amendments to the LPM platform among other items of business.

During lunch, our Libertarian Campaign Kick-Off will take place, featuring remarks from the first LPM gubernatorial primary winner—Bill Gelineau (liberty4gov.org) or John Tatar (johnjtatar.com)—and a special presentation by the Campaign Committee and our other Libertarian Party candidates.

There will also be a vendor area.  We are selling ½ of an 8-foot table for $20 if payment is received before July 20, $30 if received July 21- August 10, and $40 if received after August 10.  A full 8’ table is double these prices.  Tables will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Please contact Paul Connolly (pac7907@yahoo.com, 248-494-6086). Please contact him to reserve one or for more information.

Registration begins at 10 a.m. Convention business will start at 11:00 with platform debate followed by the Campaign Kick-off Lunch at 12:30. Candidate nominations will take place during the afternoon session that begins at 2 p.m. Business will adjourn at 5:00. The Libertarian Executive Committee will have a short meeting after adjournment. An evening banquet is not planned, but the hotel restaurant and bar open at 5 p.m.

The Wyndham Gardens has a block of rooms for the nights of August 24 and 25 for us at a discounted rate of $79/night. Mention you’re there for the Libertarian Party convention in order to receive this reduced rate. Please call the hotel at 734-728-2800 and make your reservation directly with the front desk staff. (Don’t get transferred to the chain’s national reservation system!)

As this will be the third major LP convention this year for many Libertarians, we are doing our best to keep costs low for this convention. For participants, the cost of the Campaign Kick-Off Lunch is only $25 ($35 after July 31). As a further cost-cutting measure, convention packets will be emailed in advance, with a minimum of paper documents on hand on August 25.

We’re asking a voluntary $20 participation fee to cover the cost of renting the hotel ballroom. Please consider making this donation so we can reserve our LPM funds for the crucial task of promoting our candidates in this election year.

Link to the July Michigan Libertarian