Libertarians seek recount to preserve major party status
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The Libertarian Party of New Mexico is requesting a recount of primary election ballots in 15 counties after its write-in candidates for governor and lieutenant governor failed to garner enough votes to compete in the November general election.
Libertarian Party attorney A. Blair Dunn on Thursday said he believes many Libertarian voters wrote down candidate names without also filling in an oval to complete the selection. Libertarians could lose their major party status without a gubernatorial candidate.
The Libertarian Party achieved major party status with a strong showing in 2016 by failed presidential candidate Gary Johnson, allowing candidates to qualify for the statewide ballot with just 230 signatures or votes.