United Citizens Party
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The United Citizens Party is a political party. As of September 2019, it was a ballot-qualified party in South Carolina. The group is headquartered in Columbia, South Carolina.[1]
Background
The United Citizens Party (UCP) was founded in 1969 by a group of primarily black civic activists in order to support black candidates for public office in South Carolina. The party supported local, state and federal UCP candidates during the 1970 and 1972 elections. By attracting black voters away from Democratic candidates in the state, the UCP helped motivate the desegregation of the Democratic Party of South Carolina in the 1970s.[2][3]
The UCP fell dormant after the 1972 elections, but maintained ballot access under South Carolina law. When the state's ballot access laws changed in 1986, the UCP needed to field candidates in the 1988 election in order to maintain ballot access. Activists from New York's New Alliance Party gained control of the organization and supported Lenora Filani as the UCP's 1988 presidential nominee. Filani changed the name of the UCP to the Patriot Party and supported Reform Party presidential nominee Ross Perot in the 1992 and 1996 elections. After the Reform Party gained ballot access in South Carolina in 1996, the Patriot Party (UCP) fell dormant once again.[4]
In the early 21st century, a group of political activists in coordination with the South Carolina Progressive Voter Coalition regained interest in the UCP and returned the party to its original name. The new UCP leaders aimed to rebrand the organization as a progressive third party with the intent of influencing the platforms of the major parties and supporting candidates through fusion voting.[4]
The UCP has maintained ballot access since 1972 and continues to support candidates. Due to fusion voting laws in South Carolina, the party nominated Socialist Party candidate Walt Brown for president in 2004 and Democratic candidate Barack Obama for president in 2008, though Obama did not accept the UCP nomination. The party's 2014 gubernatorial nominee, Morgan Bruce Reeves, earned 0.45 percent of the vote.[3][5][6][7]
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.[8] 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..[9][10][11]
Three minor parties were recognized in more than 10 states as of January 2025:
- Libertarian Party: 38 states
- Green Party: 23 states[12]
- Constitution Party: 12 states[13]
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.[9]
The table below lists all ballot-qualified political parties in each state as of January 2025. Click "[show]" to expand the table.[9]
| 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 |
Platform
According to Mike Avey, a political activist who helped revive the United Citizens Party in the early 21st century, the UCP functions as a progressive third party with the goal of influencing the agendas of the major political parties. Avery stated:
| “ | The problems and inequities the United Citizens Party identified 30 year ago are still problems today. Sure, there have been a number of black legislators elected, but not enough to make difference without the support of white Democrats, which too rarely happens. The (Democratic) Party gives lip service to the needs of the black community and working people, but it stops there.[4][14] | ” |
Willie Lagette, a fellow UCP activist, explained:
| “ | The UCP offers the opportunity to develop a new party with a different ideological orientation and a different base of legitimacy based on the support of working people, poor people, environmentalists, gays and lesbians — people who recognize that the Democrats have not served their interests.[15][14] | ” |
Rules and bylaws
| Candidate ballot access |
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| Find detailed information on ballot access requirements in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. |
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. As of March 2016, the rules and bylaws of the United Citizens Party were not publicly available.
Convention
As of March 2016, no information was available regarding a 2016 state convention for the United Citizens Party.
Leadership
The following individuals hold leadership positions with the United Citizens Party:[1]
- Glen Davis, Chair
- Erica Carter, Vice chair
- Christopher Nelums, Treasurer
- Almeta Vance, Secretary/director of communications
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms 'XXPARTY_NAMEXX. 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
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 South Carolina Blue Book 2015, "Party organizations 2015," accessed March 24, 2016
- ↑ Morrison, Minion K. C. (2003). African Americans and Political Participation: A Reference Handbook. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO. (page 225)
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Ballot Access News, "United Citizens Party Nominates Barack Obama for President," April 11, 2008
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 South Carolina Progressive Network, "Is South Carolina ready for a progressive third party?" accessed March 24, 2016
- ↑ Ali, Omar H. (2008). In the Balance of Power: Independent Black Politics and Third-Party Movements in the United States. Athens, OH: Ohio University Press. (page 143)
- ↑ World Heritage Encyclopedia, "United Citizens Party," accessed March 25, 2016
- ↑ South Carolina State Election Commission, "2014 statewide general election," accessed March 25, 2016
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 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.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedSC
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