CONCORD, N.H. – The Libertarian National Committee has recognized the newly formed Granite State Libertarian Party as its New Hampshire affiliate, filling the vacancy created after the national party severed ties with the former Libertarian Party of New Hampshire earlier this year. At its Sept. 13 meeting, the LNC initially selected the Granite State group over a competing organization seeking the affiliation and “None of the Above”; after a motion to reconsider, members voted again and the Granite State Libertarian Party prevailed a second time.

The new affiliate, chaired by Rachel “Blackfyre” Danner, was organized at an Aug. 30 convention by former New Hampshire Libertarian activists. Its bylaws created graduated membership categories that generally require new members to spend at least a year as “Pledge Members” before becoming Activist Members and another year before attaining Sustaining status and full convention voting rights. Organizers debated the restrictions during the founding convention as a means of guarding against an outside takeover.

Independent Political Report was told by Danner following the convention that she plans to “carve out a libertarian identity that is principled, effective, and friendly.”

The dispute shows in high definition the difficulty facing national Libertarians as they attempt to rebuild their organization in a state that has, to put it rather mildly, been one of the party’s most contentious affiliate battlegrounds. During the LNC debate, some participants themselves raised concerns about the Granite State group’s seasoning requirement and the limited notice surrounding the competing organizational conventions, while supporters argued against delaying affiliation further. For now, however, the national party has made its choice, and certainly that choice means that the Granite State Libertarian Party is its recognized Libertarian Party organization in New Hampshire to contest the upcoming midterms.

If party candidate for governor Stephen Villee earns at least 4% of the vote for Governor, the Granite State Libertarian Party will achieve ballot status in New Hampshire. According to the latest poll by co/efficient, Villee currently polls at 3% support. The poll was conducted Sept. 9-11 amongst registered New Hampshire voters.