American Party of South Carolina
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The American Party of South Carolina was a ballot-qualified political party in South Carolina. In 2018, the party merged into the Alliance Party of South Carolina.[1]
Note: This party was previously ballot-qualified in South Carolina. As of March 8, 2022, it is no longer ballot-qualified. The content here reflects the most current information as of March 8, 2022.
Background
Ballot access for political parties
As of January 2025, there were at least 55 distinct ballot-qualified political parties in the United States. There were 238 state-level parties.[2] 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..[3][4][5]
Three minor parties were recognized in more than 10 states as of January 2025:
- Libertarian Party: 38 states
- Green Party: 23 states[6]
- Constitution Party: 12 states[7]
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.[3]
The table below lists all ballot-qualified political parties in each state as of January 2025. Click "[show]" to expand the table.[3]
| State | Political party |
|---|---|
| Alabama | Democratic Party of Alabama |
| Alabama | Republican Party of Alabama |
| Alaska | Alaskan Independence Party |
| Alaska | Democratic Party of Alaska |
| Alaska | Libertarian Party of Alaska |
| Alaska | Republican Party of Alaska |
| Arizona | Democratic Party of Arizona |
| Arizona | Green Party of Arizona |
| Arizona | Libertarian Party of Arizona |
| Arizona | No Labels Party of Arizona |
| Arizona | Republican Party of Arizona |
| Arkansas | Democratic Party of Arkansas |
| Arkansas | Libertarian Party of Arkansas |
| Arkansas | Republican Party of Arkansas |
| California | American Independent Party of California |
| California | Democratic Party of California |
| California | Green Party of California |
| California | Libertarian Party of California |
| California | Peace and Freedom Party of California |
| California | Republican Party of California |
| Colorado | American Constitution Party of Colorado |
| Colorado | Approval Voting Party of Colorado |
| Colorado | Colorado Center Party |
| Colorado | Democratic Party of Colorado |
| Colorado | Green Party of Colorado |
| Colorado | Libertarian Party of Colorado |
| Colorado | No Labels Party of Colorado |
| Colorado | Republican Party of Colorado |
| Colorado | Unity Party of Colorado |
| Connecticut | Democratic Party of Connecticut |
| Connecticut | Green Party of Connecticut |
| Connecticut | Independent Party of Connecticut |
| Connecticut | Libertarian Party of Connecticut |
| Connecticut | Republican Party of Connecticut |
| Connecticut | Working Families Party of Connecticut |
| D.C. | D.C. Statehood Green Party |
| D.C. | Democratic Party of Washington, D.C. |
| D.C. | Libertarian Party of Washington, D.C. |
| D.C. | Republican Party of Washington, D.C. |
| Delaware | Democratic Party of Delaware |
| Delaware | Green Party of Delaware |
| Delaware | Independent Party of Delaware |
| Delaware | Libertarian Party of Delaware |
| Delaware | Republican Party of Delaware |
| Florida | American Solidarity Party of Florida |
| Florida | Boricua Party of Florida |
| Florida | Coalition with a Purpose Party of Florida |
| Florida | Conservative Party of Florida |
| Florida | Constitution Party of Florida |
| Florida | Democratic Party of Florida |
| Florida | Ecology Party of Florida |
| Florida | Florida Forward Party |
| Florida | Florida Natural Law Party |
| Florida | Green Party of Florida |
| Florida | Independent Party of Florida |
| Florida | Jeffersonian Party of Florida |
| Florida | Libertarian Party of Florida |
| Florida | Party for Socialism and Liberation of Florida |
| Florida | Reform Party of Florida |
| Florida | Republican Party of Florida |
| Georgia | Democratic Party of Georgia |
| Georgia | Republican Party of Georgia |
| Hawaii | AlohaʻĀina Party |
| Hawaii | Constitution Party of Hawaii |
| Hawaii | Democratic Party of Hawaii |
| Hawaii | Green Party of Hawaii |
| Hawaii | Libertarian Party of Hawaii |
| Hawaii | Republican Party of Hawaii |
| Idaho | Constitution Party of Idaho |
| Idaho | Democratic Party of Idaho |
| Idaho | Libertarian Party of Idaho |
| Idaho | Republican Party of Idaho |
| Illinois | Democratic Party of Illinois |
| Illinois | Republican Party of Illinois |
| Indiana | Democratic Party of Indiana |
| Indiana | Libertarian Party of Indiana |
| Indiana | Republican Party of Indiana |
| Iowa | Democratic Party of Iowa |
| Iowa | Libertarian Party of Iowa |
| Iowa | Republican Party of Iowa |
| Kansas | Democratic Party of Kansas |
| Kansas | Libertarian Party of Kansas |
| Kansas | Republican Party of Kansas |
| Kentucky | Democratic Party of Kentucky |
| Kentucky | Republican Party of Kentucky |
| Louisiana | Democratic Party of Louisiana |
| Louisiana | Green Party of Louisiana |
| Louisiana | Independent Party of Louisiana |
| Louisiana | Libertarian Party of Louisiana |
| Louisiana | Republican Party of Louisiana |
| Maine | Democratic Party of Maine |
| Maine | Green Independent Party of Maine |
| Maine | Libertarian Party of Maine |
| Maine | No Labels Party of Maine |
| Maine | Republican Party of Maine |
| Maryland | Democratic Party of Maryland |
| Maryland | Green Party of Maryland |
| Maryland | Libertarian Party of Maryland |
| Maryland | Republican Party of Maryland |
| Maryland | Working Class Party of Maryland |
| Massachusetts | Democratic Party of Massachusetts |
| Massachusetts | Libertarian Party of Massachusetts |
| Massachusetts | Republican Party of Massachusetts |
| Michigan | Democratic Party of Michigan |
| Michigan | Green Party of Michigan |
| Michigan | Libertarian Party of Michigan |
| Michigan | Natural Law Party of Michigan |
| Michigan | Republican Party of Michigan |
| Michigan | U.S. Taxpayers Party of Michigan |
| Michigan | Working Class Party of Michigan |
| Minnesota | Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party of Minnesota |
| Minnesota | Grassroots-Legalize Cannabis Party of Minnesota |
| Minnesota | Green Party of Minnesota |
| Minnesota | Independence Party of Minnesota |
| Minnesota | Legal Marijuana Now Party of Minnesota |
| Minnesota | Libertarian Party of Minnesota |
| Minnesota | Republican Party of Minnesota |
| Mississippi | America First Party of Mississippi |
| Mississippi | Democratic Party of Mississippi |
| Mississippi | Justice Party of Mississippi |
| Mississippi | Libertarian Party of Mississippi |
| Mississippi | Reform Party of Mississippi |
| Mississippi | Republican Party of Mississippi |
| Missouri | Constitution Party of Missouri |
| Missouri | Democratic Party of Missouri |
| Missouri | Green Party of Missouri |
| Missouri | Libertarian Party of Missouri |
| Missouri | Republican Party of Missouri |
| Montana | Democratic Party of Montana |
| Montana | Green Party of Montana |
| Montana | Libertarian Party of Montana |
| Montana | Republican Party of Montana |
| Nebraska | Democratic Party of Nebraska |
| Nebraska | Legal Marijuana Now Party of Nebraska |
| Nebraska | Libertarian Party of Nebraska |
| Nebraska | Republican Party of Nebraska |
| Nevada | Democratic Party of Nevada |
| Nevada | Independent American Party of Nevada |
| Nevada | Libertarian Party of Nevada |
| Nevada | No Labels Party of Nevada |
| Nevada | Republican Party of Nevada |
| New Hampshire | Democratic Party of New Hampshire |
| New Hampshire | Republican Party of New Hampshire |
| New Jersey | Democratic Party of New Jersey |
| New Jersey | Republican Party of New Jersey |
| New Mexico | Democratic Party of New Mexico |
| New Mexico | Green Party of New Mexico |
| New Mexico | Libertarian Party of New Mexico |
| New Mexico | Republican Party of New Mexico |
| New Mexico | Working Families Party of New Mexico |
| New York | Conservative Party of New York |
| New York | Democratic Party of New York |
| New York | Republican Party of New York |
| New York | Working Families Party of New York |
| North Carolina | Democratic Party of North Carolina |
| North Carolina | Green Party of North Carolina |
| North Carolina | Libertarian Party of North Carolina |
| North Carolina | No Labels Party of North Carolina |
| North Carolina | Republican Party of North Carolina |
| North Dakota | Democratic-Nonpartisan League Party of North Dakota |
| North Dakota | Republican Party of North Dakota |
| Ohio | Democratic Party of Ohio |
| Ohio | Republican Party of Ohio |
| Ohio | Libertarian Party of Ohio |
| Oklahoma | Democratic Party of Oklahoma |
| Oklahoma | Libertarian Party of Oklahoma |
| Oklahoma | Republican Party of Oklahoma |
| Oregon | Constitution Party of Oregon |
| Oregon | Democratic Party of Oregon |
| Oregon | Green Party of Oregon |
| Oregon | Independent Party of Oregon |
| Oregon | Libertarian Party of Oregon |
| Oregon | No Labels Party of Oregon |
| Oregon | Pacific Green Party of Oregon |
| Oregon | Progressive Party of Oregon |
| Oregon | Republican Party of Oregon |
| Oregon | Working Families Party of Oregon |
| Pennsylvania | Democratic Party of Pennsylvania |
| Pennsylvania | Green Party of Pennsylvania |
| Pennsylvania | Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania |
| Pennsylvania | Republican Party of Pennsylvania |
| Rhode Island | Democratic Party of Rhode Island |
| Rhode Island | Republican Party of Rhode Island |
| South Carolina | Alliance Party of South Carolina |
| South Carolina | Constitution Party of South Carolina |
| South Carolina | Democratic Party of South Carolina |
| South Carolina | Forward Party of South Carolina |
| South Carolina | Green Party of South Carolina |
| South Carolina | Labor Party of South Carolina |
| South Carolina | Libertarian Party of South Carolina |
| South Carolina | Republican Party of South Carolina |
| South Carolina | United Citizens Party of South Carolina |
| South Carolina | Workers Party of South Carolina |
| South Dakota | Democratic Party of South Dakota |
| South Dakota | Libertarian Party of South Dakota |
| South Dakota | No Labels Party of South Dakota |
| South Dakota | Republican Party of South Dakota |
| Tennessee | Democratic Party of Tennessee |
| Tennessee | Republican Party of Tennessee |
| Texas | Democratic Party of Texas |
| Texas | Green Party of Texas |
| Texas | Libertarian Party of Texas |
| Texas | Republican Party of Texas |
| Utah | Constitution Party of Utah |
| Utah | Democratic Party of Utah |
| Utah | Independent American Party of Utah |
| Utah | Libertarian Party of Utah |
| Utah | Republican Party of Utah |
| Utah | United Utah Party |
| Vermont | Democratic Party of Vermont |
| Vermont | Green Mountain Peace and Justice Party of Vermont |
| Vermont | Libertarian Party of Vermont |
| Vermont | Progressive Party of Vermont |
| Vermont | Republican Party of Vermont |
| Virginia | Democratic Party of Virginia |
| Virginia | Republican Party of Virginia |
| Washington | Democratic Party of Washington |
| Washington | Republican Party of Washington |
| West Virginia | Democratic Party of West Virginia |
| West Virginia | Libertarian Party of West Virginia |
| West Virginia | Mountain Party of West Virginia |
| West Virginia | Republican Party of West Virginia |
| Wisconsin | Constitution Party of Wisconsin |
| Wisconsin | Democratic Party of Wisconsin |
| Wisconsin | Green Party of Wisconsin |
| Wisconsin | Libertarian Party of Wisconsin |
| Wisconsin | Republican Party of Wisconsin |
| Wyoming | Constitution Party of Wyoming |
| Wyoming | Democratic Party of Wyoming |
| Wyoming | Libertarian Party of Wyoming |
| Wyoming | Republican Party of Wyoming |
| American Party of South Carolina | |
 | |
| Basic facts | |
| Location: | Great Falls, S.C. |
| Type: | Political party |
| Top official: | Jim Rex, Chair |
| Founder(s): | • Jim Rex • Oscar Lovelace |
| Year founded: | 2014 |
| Website: | Official website |
The American Party of South Carolina was a qualified political party in South Carolina. The group was headquartered in Great Falls, S.C.. In 2018, the American Party merged into the Alliance Party of South Carolina.[8] The American Party of South Carolina obtained state political party certification in January 2014. According to its website, the group aimed to "increase the economic global competitiveness of our states and our country by focusing on the implementation of common ground solutions."[9]
The party was organized by Oscar Lovelace, a 2006 Republican candidate for governor of South Carolina, and Jim Rex, a former state education superintendent and the 2010 Democratic nominee for governor of South Carolina. Over the course of a year, the party collected 16,000 signatures from registered voters, exceeding the 10,000 required signatures for political party recognition. "If you are looking for a champion for a single issue, we are not your party," Rex said. The party promised to nominate more centrist candidates for South Carolina's congressional seats. Its platform included support for term limits and more government transparency.[10][11][12]
In March 2014, Jill Bossi filed paperwork to seek the party's nomination in the state's 2014 U.S. Senate race. "The politicians in Washington haven’t passed a budget for our country in over six years, and they haven’t provided a balanced budget since 2001,” said Bossi. "This is not the way to run a business or a family, let alone a country. Something has to change." Bossi ultimately received 1.7 percent of the statewide vote.[13]
The party endorsed the following four candidates during the 2014 elections:[14][15]
- Jill Bossi, U.S. Senate
- Emile DeFelice, South Carolina commissioner of agriculture
- Ed Murray, South Carolina superintendent of education
- Donna McGreevy, South Carolina House of Representatives District 74
The American Party of South Carolina's 2014 candidates received more than 153,000 votes. The voter support made the group the third most popular political party in the state.[12]
On October 14, 2018, the American Party merged into the Alliance Party of South Carolina.
Platform
The party's stated platform comprised eight main issues:[12]
- National debt
"Decrease the national debt while ensuring a strong national defense and essential social programs through a deliberate, balanced, and comprehensive approach that will not do damage to our economic recovery." - Education
"Create a strong, choice-driven public school system that encourages innovation, rigor, and success for all children with an increased emphasis on early childhood education." - Healthcare
"Create an efficient, effective health care system that emphasizes preventative care and encourages healthy lifestyles for all Americans." - Campaign finance
"Reform campaign funding by doing away with the effects of recent Supreme Court rulings by legislation and/or amendment; requiring immediate and total transparency and posting all donors and amounts regardless of source within five business days of receipt." - Ethics
"Reform ethics legislation by requiring the annual disclosure of all sources of income from elected officials. Have stand-alone ethics commissions at state and federal levels to investigate, enforce, and discipline." - Gun rights
"Provide strong, unequivocal support for the Second Amendment coupled with universal background checks and strengthened mental health programs." - Tax reform
"Initiate comprehensive tax reform to acquire a simpler, fairer tax system that supports economic growth and encourages work, savings, and investment." - Immigration
"Implement a comprehensive immigration policy that provides a responsible pathway to citizenship, encouragement of high skill and high knowledge immigration, employer accountability, and a strengthened national border."
Leadership
As of February 2016, the American Party of South Carolina did not have an executive director.
The following individuals serve in leadership positions with the American Party of South Carolina:[12][16]
- Jim Rex, Co-founder and chairman
- Oscar Lovelace, Co-founder
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms 'American Party of South Carolina'. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
- Ballot access requirements for political parties in South Carolina
- List of political parties in the United States
Footnotes
- ↑ Alliance Party, "Why the Alliance Party?" accessed October 26, 2020
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Jaime Healy-Plotkin, "Research of state election agency websites and email correspondence with state election agencies," June 2024
- ↑ As of January 2025, 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.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ This figure includes Nevada's Independent American Party and Michigan's U.S. Taxpayers Party.
- ↑ American Party of South Carolina, "Contact," accessed February 19, 2016
- ↑ American Party of South Carolina, "Ensuring our future," accessed February 19, 2016
- ↑ WISTV.com, "American Party, brainchild of former gubernatorial candidates, officially certified," accessed February 3, 2014
- ↑ Herald Online, "Former GOP, Democratic gubernatorial candidates seek to create third party in S.C.," accessed February 3, 2014
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 American Party of South Carolina, "Why the American Party?" accessed February 19, 2016
- ↑ Herald Online, "Tega Cay exec running for U.S. Senate," March 24, 2014
- ↑ VoteSmart.org, "2014 South Carolina statewide general election candidates," accessed February 19, 2016
- ↑ Free Times, "A recall initiative for South Carolina?" September 25, 2014
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
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