Libertarian Party of California Historical Timeline

There have been Libertarian activists working in California from the beginning, and many Californians were involved in the first national convention in 1972. But the first convention of what we now know as the Libertarian Party of California wasn't held until 1973, and the state government didn't recognize the LP as a party until 1980.

The following is a timeline covering approximately the first ten years of LP events and activities in California. Also included, in italics, are some national events and events that took place elsewhere that help provide context for what was happening in California at the same time.

• 11 December 1971 - Committee to Organize a Libertarian Party, meeting in Colorado, decides to actually do that (and to name it "Libertarian Party").

• 15-18 June 1972 - First national convention held in Denver, with many Californians in attendance, and nominates John Hospers from California as the LP's first presidential candidate.

• June 1972 - Bill Susel assumes position of State Chair Pro-Tem.

• August 1972 - First issue of LiberTale, published in Los Angeles.

• 2 September 1972 - Northern California Meeting in Burlingame.

• September 1972 - Alan Coon assumes position of Chair.

• October 1972 - First known issue of The Libertarian, published in Burlingame.

• 7-8 October 1972 - Originally announced (tentative) date for a state convention (did not take place).

• 12 October 1972 - Southern California Meeting in Los Angeles.

• 7 November 1972 - Presidential election - Hospers receives 980 write-in votes in California.

• March 1973 - First state convention, in Fresno.

• April 1973 - First issue of CaLiber, which served as the state newsletter for many years.

• 15-18 February 1974 - Second state convention, in Berkeley.

• 14-17 February 1975 - Third state convention, in Santa Monica.

• 13-16 February 1976 - Fourth state convention, in Burlingame.

• 2 November 1976 - Presidential election - Roger MacBride, on the ballot without a party label, receives 56,388 votes in California.

• 18-21 February 1977 - Fifth state convention, in Los Angeles.

• 17-20 February 1978 - Sixth state convention, in Los Angeles.

• 7 November 1978 - Ed Clark, on the ballot for Governor without a party label, receives 377,960 votes (5.46%).

• 16-19 February 1979 - Seventh state convention, in San Jose.

• 1979 - Registration drive to get the LP recognized as a party by the state of California.

• 2 January 1980 - Secretary of State announces certification of Libertarian Party as a qualified party.

• 15-18 February 1980 - Eighth state convention, in Irvine.

• 3 June 1980 - Primary election, with candidates appearing on the ballot with the Libertarian label for the first time.

• 4 November 1980 - Presidential election - Clark, on the ballot as a Libertarian, receives 148,390 votes in California.