Independent Party of Florida
| Independent Party of Florida | |
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| Basic facts | |
| Location: | Largo, Fla. |
| Type: | Political party |
| Top official: | Ernest Bach, Chairman |
| Year founded: | 1993 |
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The Independent Party of Florida is a recognized and ballot-qualified minor political party in Florida. The group is headquartered in Largo, Florida.[1]
Background
The Independent Party of Florida was established in 1993. According to the party's founding documents, the group was formed "to reaffirm the principles as set forth in the United States Constitution as originally amended."[2]
The Independent Party of Florida is the third largest political party in the state, with 258,914 registered voters as of February 2016. According to the party's chairman, Ernest Bach, the group is concentrating its outreach efforts in urban areas of the state while building up county chapters and a statewide infrastructure in preparation for the 2018 election cycle.[3][4]
In a 2010 interview with the Orlando Sentinel, University of South Florida political scientist Susan MacManus observed that many voters mistakenly register with the Independent Party of Florida in an attempt to register as an independent, unaffiliated voter. Bach disputed MacManus' statement and affirmed that voters consciously choose to register with the party.[5]
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.[6] 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..[7][8][9]
Three minor parties were recognized in more than 10 states as of January 2025:
- Libertarian Party: 38 states
- Green Party: 23 states[10]
- Constitution Party: 12 states[11]
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.[7]
The table below lists all ballot-qualified political parties in each state as of January 2025. Click "[show]" to expand the table.[7]
| 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 |
Convention
As of October 2016, no information was available regarding a 2016 state convention for the Independent Party of Florida.
Elections
2016 elections
During the 2016 election cycle, the Independent Party of Florida endorsed 2016 Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton for president. The party also endorsed Democratic candidate Walter Dartland for Florida's 2nd Congressional District.
Leadership
The following individuals hold leadership positions with the Independent Party of Florida:[1]
- Ernest Bach, Chairman
- John Leitgeb, Secretary-treasurer
Recent news
See also
- List of political parties in the United States
- Ballot access requirements for political parties in Florida
- Florida
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Florida Department of State-Division of Elections, "Committee Tracking System-Independent Party of Florida," accessed June 23, 2016
- ↑ Florida Department of State-Division of Elections, "Campaign Documents Search-Independent Party of Florida," accessed June 23, 2016
- ↑ Florida Department of State-Division of Elections, "2016 presidential preference primary active registered voters by party," February 16, 2016
- ↑ Information received via email correspondence on October 19, 2016
- ↑ Orlando Sentinel, "Alternative political parties hold some sway in Florida," September 2, 2010
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 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.
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