Independence Party of New York State

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The Independence Party of New York State is a minor political party in New York and a former state affiliate of the Independence Party of America.[1] As of September 2019, it was a ballot-qualified party in New York.

Note: This party was previously ballot-qualified in New York. 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

See also: List of political parties in the United States


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:

  1. Libertarian Party: 38 states
  2. Green Party: 23 states[6]
  3. 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]

Ballot-qualified parties by state, January 2025
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
Independence Party of New York State
Indep new york.jpg
Basic facts
Location:New York
Type:Political party
Top official:Frank M. Mackay, Chairman
Website:Official website


The Independence Party of New York State (IPNY) gained ballot access in 1994 and became the New York affiliate of the national Reform Party in 1995. The IPNY left the Reform Party in 2000 and launched the national Independence Party of America in 2007. Though the status of the national party is unclear as of 2016, the IPNY remains active in New York.[8][9]

Due to fusion voting laws in New York, the IPNY often endorses major party nominees rather than nominating its own candidates. According to a November 2015 report by the New York State Board of Elections, the IPNY had 476,873 registered voters in the state.[8][10][11][12]

Opponents have noted that a large number of IPNY voters have mistakenly registered with the party in an attempt to register as independent, or unaffiliated, voters. The group acknowledged the misunderstanding and called for a change to the state's voter registration forms in its 2015 legislative agenda.[8][10]

Platform

The party's stated platform is composed of six main issues:[13]

  • Pragmatic leadership
    "Our goals are to foster balanced, pragmatic leadership."
  • New leadership
    "[Our goal is to] drive innovation and change by encouraging a new political prototype of leadership. Ideal candidates are those who have led very successful non-political careers in the private and public sectors."
  • Honest government
    "[Our goal is to] drive transformation in government by applying sound management principles to root out waste, abuse and mismanagement at all levels and departments in the bureaucracy."
  • Political independence
    "[Our goal is to] be an organization where New York’s growing population of independent-minded and politically aware people may find a home with others of similar views."
  • Social issues
    "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."
  • Economic prosperity
    "[Our goal is to] be an organization that will vigorously pursue pro-business policies, fiscally sound government practices and a rational energy agenda that emphasizes independence and fosters economic prosperity for all."


The party's 2015 legislative agenda focused on the following issues:[8]

  • Common Core
    "We strongly ask our Legislative leaders and the Governor to impose a three year moratorium to review the Common Core Curriculum, solicit parent and educator feedback, thoroughly review the associated standardized tests, and make recommended changes to the program’s implementation."
  • Voter registration
    " We support a critical revision in the New York State Voter Registration Form. The Party’s leadership recognizes that individuals do sometimes unwittingly register as members of the Independence Party when their intent was...not to register in one of the state-recognized political parties."
  • Adult prosecution
    "For the first year, we are supporting a proposal to raise the age of adult prosecution to 18."
  • The Dream Act
    "For the second year in a row we support legislation (S2378B/A2597A) that would allow the children of undocumented immigrants to participate in the College Tuition Assistance Program."

Rules and bylaws

Candidate ballot access
Ballot Access Requirements Final.jpg

Find detailed information on ballot access requirements in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
See also: Rules of the Independence Party of New York State

The state party is governed by a set of rules and bylaws. Typically, these give structure to the different levels of organization—local, county, and state committees—and establish protocol for electing committee members. The bylaws also typically give details on the party's process for nominating and sending delegates to the national party convention during presidential elections. The following is a summary of the Independence Party of New York State's rules. This summary focuses on the structure and governance of the party:[14]

  • Party officers include the chairman, five vice chairmen, secretary, treasurer and nineteen at-large members.
  • Party officers serve two-year terms.
  • The state committee has the authority to charter local county committees.

Leadership

As of February 2016, the Independence Party of New York State did not have an executive director.

The following individuals hold leadership positions with the Independence Party of New York State:[15]

  • Frank M. Mackay, Chairman
  • William Bogardt, Secretary
  • Robert Pilnick, Treasurer
  • Thomas S. Connolly, Vice chair
  • Paul Caputo, Vice chair
  • Richard G. Nebolini, Vice chair
  • Giulio Cavallo, Vice chair
  • Stephen P. Corryn, Vice chair
  • Joseph L. Baruth Sr., Vice chair
  • Lee A. Kolesnikoff, Vice chair
  • Thomas Hatfield, At-large
  • Teresa Bogardt, At-large
  • Rick Bellando, At-large
  • Dhyalma Vazquez, At-large
  • Atef S. Zeina, At-large
  • Michael Zumblescus, At-large
  • Dennis Zack, At-large
  • Len Bernardo, At-large
  • Trisha Sterling, At-large

Recent news

The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms 'Independence Party of New York State'. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.

See also

External links

Footnotes

  1. New York State Board of Elections, "New York State Voter Registration Form," accessed February 24, 2016
  2. 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. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Jaime Healy-Plotkin, "Research of state election agency websites and email correspondence with state election agencies," June 2024
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. This figure includes Nevada's Independent American Party and Michigan's U.S. Taxpayers Party.
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Independence Party of New York State, "About/legislative agenda," accessed February 24, 2016
  9. Ballot Access News, "New York State Independence Party will attempt to create a nation-wide Independence Party," October 16, 2007
  10. 10.0 10.1 The Washington Post, "New York’s crazily complicated ballots — and what they mean for Andrew Cuomo," September 9, 2014
  11. New York State Board of Elections, "Voter enrollment by county, party affiliation and status," November 1, 2015
  12. The Voting News, "Voting Blogs: Fusion Voting in Up Close: A Look at the Independence Party of New York," November 26, 2015
  13. Independence Party of New York, "Book," accessed February 24, 2016
  14. Independence Party of New York State, "Rules of the New York State Committee of the Independence Party," accessed February 24, 2016
  15. Independence Party of New York State, "Leadership," accessed February 19, 2016