Independence Party of America

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The Independence Party of America was a minor political party in the United States. The party did not issue formal notice of its dissolution, but the organization's website was inactive as of 2013. State parties continue to use the Independence Party name in Florida, Minnesota, South Carolina and New York as of Septemeber 2019.[1][2]

Background

Ballot access for political parties

See also: List of political parties in the United States


As of November 2023, there were at least 53 distinct ballot-qualified political parties in the United States. There were 235 state-level parties.[3] Some parties are recognized in multiple states. For example, both the Democratic Party and the Republican Party are recognized in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. These two parties account for more than half of the 235 total state-level parties.[4][5][6] Three minor parties were recognized in more than 10 states as of November 2023:

  1. Libertarian Party: 38 states
  2. Green Party: 22 states[7]
  3. Constitution Party: 21 states[8]

Although there are dozens of political parties in the United States, only certain parties qualify to have the names of their candidates for office printed on election ballots. In order to qualify for ballot placement, a party must meet certain requirements that vary from state to state. For example, in some states, a party may have to file a petition in order to qualify for ballot placement. In other states, a party must organize around a candidate for a specific office; that candidate must, in turn, win a percentage of the vote in order for the party to be granted ballot status. In still other states, an aspiring political party must register a certain number of voters.

The number of ballot-qualified political parties fluctuates as parties gain or lose qualified status. In addition, some states distinguish between major parties and minor parties. Specific differences between major and minor parties differ from state to state. For example, in all states, major parties are granted access to primary elections. Some states, however, do not permit minor parties to participate in primary elections. Consequently, minor party candidates in these states can run only in general elections.[4]

The table below lists all ballot-qualified political parties in each state as of November 2023. Click "[show]" to expand the table.[4]


Independence Party of America
Indep new york.jpg
Basic facts
Type:Political party
Top official:Frank MacKay, Former chairman
Year founded:2007


History

The Independence Party of America was founded on September 23, 2007 as an outgrowth of the Independence Party of New York State. The party aimed to "recruit America’s increasingly apathetic electorate with a plan and a mission to offer a real alternative to the major party candidates." The group's national chairman was Frank MaKay and former U.S. Senator Dean Barkley served as an adviser to the organization.[1][9][10][11]

The party gained several state affiliates including the Reform Party of Pennsylvania in 2007, the Independence Party of Minnesota in 2008 and the Independent Green Party of Virginia in 2008. The Independence Party of Minnesota eventually left the organization and the national party's website was inactive as of 2013. The Independence Party of New York State remains active and a number of state parties use the Independence Party name, including the Independence Party of Florida, the Independence Party of South Carolina and the Independence Party of Minnesota.[1][9]

Party values

The Independence Party of America had the following mission and values:[11]

“ To be an organization in which candidates emerge from the grassroots and work diligently to achieve “mass appeal” based on their unique leadership qualities, character and competence and not because they rose through the political ranks supported by special interest power brokers and political operatives.


To be an organization that will drive innovation and change in Washington by encouraging a new political prototype of national leadership. Ideal candidates will be those who have led very successful non-political careers in the private and public sectors.

To be an organization that will drive transformation in Washington by applying sound management principles to root out waste, abuse and mismanagement at all levels and departments in the federal bureaucracy.

To provide a viable infrastructure to advance a serious, non-partisan independent leader to emerge in nationwide elections as an alternative to the republicans and democrats.

To achieve ballot status in all fifty states for the independent presidential candidate through an energized membership.

To be an organization where America’s growing population of independent-minded and politically aware people may find a home with others of similar views.

To foster a non-ideological “big tent” party of ideas which serves as a think tank for the solutions to the problems we face. We believe that positions on social issues e.g. abortion, gay rights, etc. are best determined not by a political party but by individuals. We openly welcome party members who hold varying views on social issues.

To be an organization that will vigorously pursue an energy agenda that emphasizes independence and fosters economic prosperity for all.[12]

”

Leadership

The following individuals served in leadership positions with the Independence Party of America:[1]

See also

External links

The Internet Archive's Wayback Machine was used to recall this version of the website from January 14, 2013.


Footnotes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 World Heritage Encyclopedia, "Independence Party of America," accessed February 25, 2016
  2. ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State, "Minnesota's major and minor political parties," accessed February 25, 2016
  3. ↑ This total does not include parties that have attained ballot status at the municipal level. Only those parties with state-level ballot status are included here.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Jaime Healy-Plotkin, "Research of state election agency websites and email correspondence with state election agencies," November 2023
  5. ↑ As of November 2023, there were nine state-level parties that called themselves Independent or Independence parties. For the purposes of this article, these were not tallied when counting the number of distinct ballot-qualified parties in the United States because it is difficult to determine to what extent these various parties are affiliated with one another.
  6. ↑ Because Washington utilizes a top-two, nonpartisan primary system, the state does not officially recognize parties. Consequently, only the state's two largest parties, the Democratic and Republican parties, were included in this tally.
  7. ↑ This figure includes the D.C. Statehood Green Party, Maine's Green Independent Party, Oregon's Pacific Green Party, and West Virginia's Mountain Party.
  8. ↑ This figure includes Nevada's Independent American Party and Michigan's U.S. Taxpayers Party.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Ballot Access News, "Virginia Independent Green Party affiliates with Independence Party," January 13, 2008
  10. ↑ Ballot Access News, "New York State Independence Party will attempt to create a nation-wide Independence Party," October 16, 2007
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Independence Party of America, "About," accessed January 14, 2013
    The Internet Archive's Wayback Machine was used to recall this version of the website from January 14, 2013.
  12. ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
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