Foundational Documents

Constitution

Constitution

of the Alaska Libertarian Party
Adopted at the May 12, 2018 Convention in Anchorage, Alaska:
As amended 2024

Article I: Purposes

  1. Encourage and support Alaska Libertarian Party (AKLP) candidates for political office.
  2. Advancing public policy issues in keeping with liberty philosophy, including passing legislative initiatives and supporting legislation which advances our platform.
  3. Supporting political education concerning free people and free markets.
  4. Seeking publicity for liberty philosophy.
  5. Maintaining and growing the Alaska Libertarian Party to achieve election of candidates to public office.

Article II: Membership

A. MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS

A person shall become a member of the AKLP when the person has become a registered Libertarian voter in the State of Alaska or submits a membership application to the secretary, and pays an annual fee as enumerated in the bylaws.

B. NOTICE TO MEMBERS

The Executive Board shall establish and maintain an email list of AKLP members in good standing, excepting those members who have affirmatively opted-out or unsubscribed from the list. This email list shall be used exclusively for AKLP business.

All notices to members required in this Constitution or the AKLP Bylaws shall be satisfied by emailing such notice to the AKLP members email list in the specified timeframe. Members who have opted-out or unsubscribed from the list waive their right to notice.

Members who do not wish to, or are unable to receive email but still wish to receive notice may arrange with the secretary an alternative method provided it is deemed practicable and agreed to by both parties.

Article III: Alaska Libertarian Party Organization

The AKLP is governed by this Constitution, the AKLP Bylaws, the Platform and membership as expressed at AKLP conventions. This Constitution may be amended or dissolved only upon a vote of more than 75% of delegates at the biennial AKLP Convention. There shall be an Executive Board of the AKLP consisting of a minimum of five elective offices:

Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Chairperson

The Executive Board shall operate as the voice and conscience of the AKLP as well as managing AKLP initiatives and elective campaigns. The Chair of the board is recognized as the unitary public voice of the AKLP, always reflecting the platform and constitution. Regular meetings of the Executive Board shall be held at a location and time established by the Chairperson provided a quorum of 67% is achieved. Members may participate at meetings by audio or audiovisual means, if practical.

Other Executive Board Offices and sub-committees may be established by the AKLP Executive Board through the AKLP Bylaws the committee by this provision is hereby empowered to establish. Bylaws may be established or amended by a 67% vote of the Executive Board proceeded by at least a two week notice of the proposed motion to the membership. Bylaws may cover any area of AKLP operations the Executive Board chooses, but consistent with principles of necessity and brevity in rule-making and the creation of AKLP offices. Such bylaws shall not be in conflict with this Constitution. All AKLP conventions and formal meetings shall be conducted under “Robert’s Rules of Order”.

Article IV: Convention

The AKLP shall hold a Biennial Convention no later than September with the Chairperson as the presiding officer. Upon a vote of 75% of the Executive Board or the petition of 75% of AKLP members, the Chairperson shall schedule a Special AKLP Convention on any matter where the voice of the AKLP membership is necessary or desirable. Notice of all Conventions shall be distributed as widely as possible, including a formal notice from the Chairperson at least 30 days before the convention, in pen or electronic. 

CONVENTION DELEGATES

AKLP convention delegates shall be members of the AKLP and 18 years of age. Delegates at a convention shall be determined and certified by the Chairperson in consultation with the Membership Chairperson . The Executive Board shall establish a method of remote participation of affiliates.

DUTIES OF THE ANNUAL CONVENTION

The Biennial AKLP Convention shall elect the officers of the AKLP executive board every two years commencing with the 2018 convention. Additionally, any temporarily appointed elected position will be up for election as well. Nominate delegates to the National Libertarian Party Convention, review the AKLP platform, determine how AKLP elective candidates are chosen within the Alaska elections laws.

The Convention may issue directives to the Executive Board to carry out. All matters may also be considered for revision at Special AKLP Conventions. All Convention votes shall be by majority rule unless otherwise stated in this Constitution or Robert’s Rules of Order.

Article V: Executive Board Powers and Duties

The Executive Board of the AKLP shall:

  1. Direct all activities of the AKLP consistent with this Constitution, Platform, the AKLP Bylaws and directives from AKLP Conventions, including but not limited to:
    1. Endorse or recommend AKLP candidates, issues, or projects that advance liberty.
    2. Score other liberty candidates of other parties if there is no libertarian candidate in the race.
    3. Fill by appointment any vacancies that occur. Such appointees will serve until the next convention.
    4. Hold Executive board meetings, open to registered Libertarians, every quarter of the calendar year proceeded by at least a 30 day notice to membership.
    5. Encourage and recognize the new local AKLP affiliates.
    6. The Chair acting on behalf of the executive board shall repudiate any statements by a person or group wrongly made publicly in the name of the AKLP.
    7. Establish AKLP delegate and/or convention fees.
    8. Create new temporary AKLP committees as necessary.
    9. Furnish the State of Alaska division of elections with the pertinent information of the candidates for U.S. President and Vice-President, as well as electors for these offices, in the manner specified by law.
    10. Perform all reporting to the Alaska Public Offices Commission (APOC) or other future agencies as the law requires.

All Executive votes shall be by majority rule unless otherwise stated in this Constitution or Robert’s Rules of Order.

Elected AKLP officers may be removed from office by a 75% vote of the Executive Board or a majority of Special Convention Delegates due to malfeasance or nonperformance. Missing three out of four consecutive Executive Board meetings (without a recognized excuse) shall be grounds for removal from office.

Article VI: Procedure for Selection of Candidates for Political Office

The AKLP shall participate as the statewide Alaska affiliate of the National Libertarian Party enjoying all of the privileges and responsibilities that come along. Selection of the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Candidates – The AKLP will accept as AKLP nominees for President and Vice-President the two candidates chosen for those offices by the National Libertarian Party National Convention. No formal vote for the two offices is required of the AKLP. The AKLP is free to endorse and support Presidential and Vice-Presidential candidates for selection by the National Libertarian Party Convention, though the AKLP delegates to the national convention shall ultimately voice the AKLP choice for nominees to national offices.

Selection of Electors for the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Candidates – The Executive Board, or in exigent circumstances the Chair or the Vice- Chair or other AKLP officer as necessary, may authorize and present to Alaska election authorities the list of AKLP candidates to serve as Electors of the Electoral College that ultimately determine the election of the President and Vice-President.

Selection of Candidates for State Elective Office – While the selection of AKLP nominees to elective office is presently governed by Alaska election law, the AKLP may always express its preference in prospective AKLP candidates and support those candidates directly, whether the preference is made by a convention vote or by executive or affiliate committee vote.

The AKLP will compete for elective office through the primary and general elections rules as set by the State of Alaska while advocating for a change from an elective system that primarily serves the interests of established political parties.

Bylaws

Bylaws

of the Alaska Libertarian Party
Adopted by Convention: 13 May 1989:
As amended 1996, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022, 2024

Section One: Executive Committees

A. Offices

In addition to the five offices of the Executive Board (committee) established by the AKLP Constitution, the offices of Fundraising Chair and Communications Director are hereby established as provided by Article V (A)(2).

B. Officer Duties

1. Chair

  1. Act as presiding officer at Conventions and committee meetings of all kinds.
  2. Call all conventions and committee meetings of all kinds.
  3. Direct the AKLP in retaining its legal status in Alaska as a recognized political party and in complying with all Alaska election laws.
  4. Maintain the AKLP’s status with the National Libertarian Party. Resolve National Libertarian Party issues with the vote of the committee as necessary.
  5. Rule as necessary on membership and procedural matters.
  6. Act as the unitary public voice of the AKLP on all matters.

2. Vice-Chair

  1. Assume the Chair’s responsibilities as required by absence.
  2. Organize the time, place and content of conventions, including recruitment of speakers and other offerings.
  3. Draft and gain the Chair’s approval of an agenda for conventions and committee meetings.
  4. Act as primary point-of-contact for AKLP candidates and their campaigns.

3. Secretary

  1. Maintain all AKLP records.
  2. Draft and gain approval of minutes for all conventions and committee meetings.
  3. Prepare and submit election law reporting to the State of Alaska.
  4. Assist the Chair and Vice-Chair in their duties as necessary.

4. Treasurer

  1. Monitor and authorize as necessary all AKLP expenditures, including full authority alone to authorize necessary expenditures of $200 or less.
  2. Report on the state of AKLP finances at conventions and committee meetings, including all special authorizations by the Treasurer.
  3. Assist the Secretary in his or her duties, including the submission of Alaska election law reporting.
  4. Prepare and file all necessary schedules and forms required by the tax laws of the United States or of the State of Alaska.
  5. Maintain all AKLP financial records as directed by the committee.

5. Membership Chair

  1. Maintain a current membership roster.
  2. Establish and execute membership drives.
  3. Train all AKLP members concerning the steps to establishing membership in the AKLP.
  4. Report to conventions and committee meetings on membership matters, including recommendations on accepting proposed affiliate parties.

6. Fundraising Chair

  1. Maintain a current donors’ roster.
  2. Establish and execute fund raising drives.
  3. Assist the Secretary and Treasurer in preparing Alaska election law reporting.
  4. Report to conventions and committee meetings on fund raising matters.

7. Communications Director

  1. Administrate, maintain and improve the AKLP’s web site, Alaska Libertarian Party, and all AKLP outreach materials to include all social media.
  2. Draft and issue press releases with approval as necessary.
  3. Establish and execute publicity campaigns.
  4. Act as the primary point-of-contact for all interaction with the press/media.
  5. Compose and circulate a AKLP newsletter quarterly.
  6. Monitor all social media of affiliates and report to chair.

One person may serve in more than one committee office. Such person shall hold only one committee vote no matter the number of offices held.

All officer duties may be fully taken up temporarily by other committee members as circumstances may require with the approval of the committee as discretion requires.

C. Committee Meetings and Procedure

1. Scheduling/Notice

The Chair shall establish dates and locations for committee meetings proving written notice to committee members no less than three days prior to the meeting. Participation by audio-visual or telephone link is encouraged, should the necessary equipment be available. Notice of committee meetings shall also be forwarded to all AKLP members.

2. Participation

All AKLP members are encouraged to attend committee meetings and participate in debate (not to make motions or vote). Guests of AKLP members may also attend and will be given some opportunity to peak should they wish to. Guests should be identified to the Vice-Chair sometime prior to the committee meeting.

3. Honor Code

  1. No member shall willfully misrepresent events known to them during committee debate.
  2. No member shall employ personal insults toward anyone during debate.
  3. No member other than the Chair shall say they speak for the AKLP unless specifically authorized to do so.
  4. Internal AKLP matters shall be kept confidential at the discretion of the Executive Board.
  5. Transparency in all AKLP matters shall be observed to AKLP members with regards to private board meetings.

Section Two: Alaska Libertarian Party Conventions

A. Elections

1. Single winner elections

Candidates for AKLP office may be nominated and seconded on the convention floor by delegates. To be eligible, candidates for AKLP office must have been a member of the AKLP (per section seven of the bylaws) for at least six months prior to convention. Each candidate will have the chance to speak to the convention and to have one other person at least speak on his or her behalf.

A candidate must win a majority of delegates voting with runoff votes as necessary. In a tie after two runoff votes, the AKLP officer shall be selected by flipping a coin supervised by the Chair or Vice-Chair.

2. Multi-winner elections

Candidates may be nominated and seconded on the convention floor by delegates. Delegates may vote for as many people on the National Libertarian Party Convention delegate list, subcommittee membership or other AKLP list being determined calls for. The number of votes per delegate will be set by the Chair when there is no finite number that applies. There shall follow the same number of votes as the roster requires, with the winner of each vote being elected to the list, even by a plurality vote.

Section Three: Local AKLP Affiliates

May be formed as a part of the AKLP by a vote of the committee after a detailed written submission by the new affiliate members has been provided at least twenty (20) days prior to a committee vote. These details should include the administrator contact, scheduled general meetings and minutes submitted to the AKLP committee.

Local AKLP affiliates shall have the authority to endorse candidates in their area and other specific powers that may be granted by the committee.

Section Four: Selection Of Candidates For Elective Office

The AKLP shall seek to aid and select candidates for elective office loyal to the AKLP platform who would make a capable public official and a credible candidate for office. The method of selection may be made by convention or by committee vote as time circumstances call for.

Section Five: Expenditures

  1. Committee members shall bring spending needs before committee in their area of responsibility and also for elective campaigns, legislative initiatives, public interest advocacy, AKLP growth, conventions, meetings, events or related subjects. General AKLP members may also bring such requests before the committee if submitted in writing to the Vice-Chair at least one week prior to a committee vote.
  2. The Treasurer will ensure all AKLP liabilities are paid in a prompt way. Expenditures determined by the Treasurer to not be clearly payable shall be resolved by committee vote as circumstances allow. The Treasurer has plenary authority to authorize new, necessary AKLP expenditures of no more than $200.
  3. The AKLP operates on the principle of pay as you go with known funds. No binding commitments will be made to spend funds that are beyond the present means of the AKLP to pay.

Section Six: Legislative Initiatives

The AKLP may take a position on every legislative initiative that appears on the Alaska ballot accomplished by either a convention vote or a committee vote.

A member may bring a proposed legislative initiative before the committee for debate and a vote on approval provided the proposal has been submitted in detail and scrutinized in advance by the committee as to whether the legal standards for such initiatives has been met. All such initiatives proposals must also quite plainly advance liberty.

Section Seven: Membership Dues/Delegate Dues

Any person registered as a Libertarian by the Alaska Division of Elections and having paid a $25.00 membership fee ($10.00 student) shall be a member of the Alaska Libertarian Party as well as a member of any recognized Affiliates.

Platform

Platform

of the Alaska Libertarian Party
Adopted at the May 12, 2018 Convention in Anchorage, Alaska:
As amended 2022, 2024

Preamble

As Alaska Libertarians, we believe that individuals have the right to life, liberty and property.

1.0 Personal Liberty

Individuals should be free to make choices for themselves and to accept responsibility for consequences for the choices they make.

1.1 Freedom from Mandates

We hold that an individual’s right of choice is absolute and no real or imagined “emergency” (whether medical, environmental, military, or other) is used as a pretext for infringing on individual freedoms.

1.2 Communication and Expression

We support full freedom of expression and oppose government censorship, regulation, or control of communications media and technology.

1.3 Personal Privacy

We support the rights recognized by the Fourth Amendment to be secure in our persons, homes, and property.

1.4 Crime and Justice

Government, if it must exist, is to protect the rights of every individual including liberty, life, and property. We advocate the repeal of laws that result in victimless crimes.

1.5 Self-Defense

We support the right of the individual to self–defense, and to keep and bear arms and accessories without regard to function or capacity. The only legitimate use of force is in defense of individual rights– liberty, life, and justly acquired property against aggression.

1.6 Economic Liberty

We advocate the curtailing of economic regulations for all people, groups, occupations and businesses. Government should not be creating incentives, subsidies, penalties, or regulations that selectively advantage, disadvantage or coerce some over others. Taxpayers should not be a safety net for private businesses.

1.7 Property and Contract

Property rights are entitled to the same protection as all other human rights. The owners of property have the full right to control, use, dispose of, or in any manner enjoy their property so long as it is not to the harm of others.

1.8 Environment

The best way to protect the environment is through a vigorous protection of private property rights and a free market economy.

1.9 Energy and Resources

While energy is needed to fuel a modern society, governments should not be subsidizing or obstructing any particular form of energy. A free market unhindered by regulation will provide the opportunity for cheap and abundant energy to all.

1.10 Government Finance and Spending

All persons are entitled to keep the fruits of their labor; therefore, we call for the phase–out of all forms of involuntary contracts (such as income tax and other payroll deductions).

1.11 Alaskan Resource Management

We believe that Alaskans should manage Alaska’s resources, not the federal government.

2.0 Money and Financial Markets

We favor free-market banking, with unrestricted competition among banks and depository institutions of all types.

2.1 Corporations

We defend the rights of individuals to form corporations, cooperatives and other types of companies based on voluntary association.

2.2 Labor Markets

We support repeal of all laws which impede the ability of any person to find employment.

2.3 Education

Education, like any other service, is best provided by the free market, achieving greater quality and efficiency with more diversity of choice.

2.4 Free Market Health Care

We favor restoring and reviving a free market health care system, fostering affordable treatment, care, and insurance plans available from any company in any jurisdiction.

2.5 Taxpayer-Funded Health Care

Taxpayer-funded health care, if it must exist, shall not discriminate against patients who choose less or more expensive procedures if the difference will be paid by insurance or other means. The government shall not be making morality-biased decisions with taxpayer funds, nor shall they interfere with a medical provider’s choice of when and what services to provide and a patient’s right to refusal.

2.6 Retirement and Income Security

Retirement planning is the responsibility of the individual, not the government, therefore we advocate a phase-out of social security and would favor a voluntary-based retirement system.

2.7 National Defense

We support a voluntary military force to provide domestic defense.

 
2.8 Internal Security and Individual Rights

We support the repeal of the Patriot Act and the abolition of the Department of Homeland Security and the Transportation Safety Administration.

2.9 International Affairs

American foreign policy should seek an America at peace with the world.

2.10 Free Trade and Migration

We support the removal of governmental impediments to free trade.

2.11 Currency

Our goal is a free market-based medium of exchange be it physical or digital commodities, therefore we oppose the monopolization of money production.

2.12 Alaska Permanent Fund & Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD)

It is the position of the Alaska Libertarian Party that the Permanent Fund, along with the Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD), be maintained according to its original constitutional and statutory calculation and purpose, and that all individuals’ reductions to pay for state services be voluntary.

2.13 Corporate Taxes/Royalties 

It is our position that if there is a corporate tax by the state of Alaska, all corporations, including oil corporations, should be taxed at the same rate. Royalties should be collected from all companies that harvest or extract the natural resources of state lands. The royalties will be apportioned to the Permanent Fund in accordance with the Alaska Constitution.

3.0 Rights and Discrimination

Government may not discriminate based on any individual’s rights, sexual orientation, preference, gender, or gender identity. Group rights do not supersede individual rights.

3.1 Parental Rights

We support the liberty of parents to direct the upbringing, education and care of their children as a fundamental right, provided that the rights of children are protected. Separation of family members must be adjudicated by due process, not in administrative court, and with the presumption of innocence.

3.2 Representative Government

We support electoral systems that are more representative of the electorate at the federal, state, and local levels.

3.3 Self-Determination

Whenever any form of government becomes destructive of individual liberty, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to agree to such new governance as to them shall seem most likely to protect their individual liberty.

3.4 Sovereign Rights

The AKLP supports the nullification of any laws which violate the Constitutions of the United States or Alaska, or are detrimental to the sovereign individual rights of Alaskan people.

3.5 Alaska Lands

The AKLP supports the end of all federal sovereignty of Alaska Lands.

4.0 Omissions

Any government laws, regulations, controls, regulatory agencies, or machinations not yet enumerated should not be construed to imply our approval or consent.