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{{Short description|United States political event}}
The '''Libertarian National Convention''' is held every two years by the [[Libertarian Party (United States)]] to choose members of the [[Libertarian National Committee]] (LNC), and to conduct other party business.  In presidential election years, the convention delegates enact a platform and nominate the Libertarian presidential and vice-presidential candidates who then face the nominees of other parties in the November general election.

While most delegates to the [[Republican National Convention]] and the [[Democratic National Convention]] are tied to particular candidates, delegates to the Libertarian National Convention are free to choose, as was previously the case for the larger parties.  Accordingly, Libertarian National Conventions place less emphasis on festivities and spinning the press, though some of each may be found.  The complete convention is televised by [[C-SPAN]] with additional broadcast television coverage of the presidential nominating process. [[None of the above]] is always an option on all ballots.

==Conventions==
===1972===
The first Libertarian National Convention was held in [[U.S. presidential election, 1972|1972]] in [[Denver, Colorado]]. [[John Hospers]] and [[Theodora Nathan]] were nominated presidential and vice presidential candidates, respectively. The party received the first electoral vote won by a woman, cast by [[Roger MacBride]].

===1973===
The 1973 Convention was held in [[Strongsville, Ohio]], from June 8 to 10. Over 175 were in attendance.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://lpedia.org/w/images/d/d5/LPNews_1973-7_N15.pdf|title=''LP News''. No. 15, July/August 1973}}</ref>

===1974===
The 1974 convention adopted the [[Dallas Accord]] which sought to accommodate supporters of both [[anarcho-capitalism and minarchism]].<ref>Hihn, Mike. "The Dallas Accord, Minarchists, and why our members sign a pledge", Washington State Libertarian Party, August 2009.</ref><ref>Gottfried, Paul. ''The conservative movement: Social movements past and present '', Twayne Publishers, 1993, p. 46.</ref><ref>Antman, Less. [http://archive.lewrockwell.com/orig9/antman1.html The Dallas Accord is Dead], [[Lew Rockwell.com]], May 12, 2008.</ref>

===1975===
The 1975 convention was held at the Statler-Hilton hotel in [[New York City]]. [[Roger MacBride]] was nominated for president. After initially selecting [[None of the Above]], the convention's delegates nominated [[David Bergland]] for vice president.

===1976===
The 1976 convention was held in [[Washington, D.C.]], from September 23 to 26, 1976.

===1977===
{{Main|1977 Libertarian National Convention}}
The 1977 convention was held at the Palace Hotel in [[San Francisco, California]]. (More details soon)

===1978===
The 1978 convention was held at the Copley Plaza Hotel in Boston Massachusetts. (More details soon)

===1979===
The 1979 convention was held at the Bonaventure Hotel in Los Angeles<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Bergland|first=David|date=January–February 1979|title=From the Chair|journal=Libertarian Party News|volume=6|issue=45}}</ref> and nominated [[Ed Clark]] for president and billionaire [[David H. Koch]] for vice president.

===Alternative '80===
The 1980 convention was held at the Century City Hotel in [[Los Angeles, California]], and via satellite. Unlike other Libertarian Party conventions, its primary purpose was promotional.

===1981===
The 1981 convention was held in [[Denver, Colorado]].

===1983===
{{Main|1983 Libertarian National Convention}}
[[David Bergland]] was selected as the 1984 presidential nominee at the [[1983 Libertarian National Convention|1983]] National Convention.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theadvocates.org/celebrities/david-bergland.html |title=David Bergland – Libertarian |publisher=Advocates for Self-Government via [[Internet Archive]] |access-date=May 28, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080407232233/http://www.theadvocates.org/celebrities/david-bergland.html |archive-date=April 7, 2008 }}</ref>

===1985===
The 1985 convention was held in [[Phoenix, Arizona]].

===1987===
{{Main|1987 Libertarian National Convention}}
The [[1987 Libertarian National Convention]] was held the first weekend in September in [[Seattle, Washington]]. At the convention, the party was split between conservative and liberal factions.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://civilliberty.about.com/b/2008/05/26/the-libertarian-party-takes-a-hard-right-turn.htm | title=The Libertarian Party Takes a Hard Right Turn | author=Head, Tom | date=May 26, 2008 | access-date=May 17, 2012 | archive-date=November 18, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121118194929/http://civilliberty.about.com/b/2008/05/26/the-libertarian-party-takes-a-hard-right-turn.htm | url-status=dead }}</ref>&nbsp; [[Ron Paul]], representing the former, was nominated as the Libertarian Party's 1988 presidential candidate on the first ballot with 196 of the 368 votes cast.&nbsp; His closest opponent, [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Native American]] activist [[Russell Means]], received 120 votes.<ref name=nyt88>{{citation |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/09/06/us/libertarians-pick-ex-congressman-in-88-bid.html |title=Libertarians Pick Ex-Congressman in '88 Bid |first=Wallace |last=Turner |newspaper=New York Times |publication-place=New York, New York |date=September 6, 1987 |page=35 }}</ref>&nbsp; [[Andre Marrou]] was selected as Paul's running mate as the candidate for vice president without opposition.<ref name=nyt88/>

===1989===
The 1989 convention was held in [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]].

===1991===
{{Main|1991 Libertarian National Convention}}
The [[1991 Libertarian National Convention]] was held in [[Chicago]] the last weekend in August, and nominated Andre Marrou as the party's 1992 candidate for president.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1082708.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131231073348/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1082708.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=December 31, 2013 | title=Libertarian Party Nominates Real Estate Broker for Run at a Million Votes | newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] | date=September 1, 1991 | access-date=May 6, 2012 | author=Walsh, Edward}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-4133531.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808120314/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-4133531.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=August 8, 2014 | title=To Libertarian, Less Is More | work=[[Chicago Sun-Times]] | date=October 7, 1992 | access-date=May 6, 2012 | author=O'Donnell, Maureen}}</ref>

===1993===
The 1993 convention was held in [[Salt Lake City, Utah]].

===1996===
{{Main|1996 Libertarian National Convention}}
The [[1996 Libertarian National Convention]] was held the first weekend of July in [[Washington D.C.]], and nominated [[Harry Browne]] as its presidential candidate.<ref>{{cite interview | url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/election/july96/browne_7-10.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970615001027/http://www1.pbs.org/newshour/bb/election/july96/browne_7-10.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=June 15, 1997 | title=Strict Interpretation | subject=Browne, Harry | interviewer=Hunter-Gault, Charlayne | publisher=[[PBS]] | date=July 10, 1996 | access-date=May 16, 2012}}</ref>

===1998===
The 1998 convention was held in [[Washington D.C.]]

===2000===
{{Main|2000 Libertarian National Convention}}
The 2000 convention was held in [[Anaheim, California]], from June 30 to July 4. [[Harry Browne]] was again chosen as the party's presidential candidate, becoming the first Libertarian Party candidate to run twice for president of the United States.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=oakkAAAAIBAJ&sjid=TG8DAAAAIBAJ&pg=3355,2388945&dq=2000+libertarian+national+convention+-wikipedia&hl=en | title=Libertarians nominate Browne for presidency | author=Werner, Erica | work=[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]] | publisher=Associated Press | date=July 3, 2000 | access-date=May 16, 2012}}</ref>

===2002===
The 2002 convention was held in [[Indianapolis, Indiana]], from July 3 to 7.  Key Note Speaker: Dr. Ron Paul.  <ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.dehnbase.org/lpus/library/lnc-candidates-2002.html | title=Candidates for Libertarian National Committee | access-date=May 16, 2012}}</ref>

===2004===
{{Main|2004 Libertarian National Convention}}
The 2004 convention was held at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in [[Atlanta, Georgia]], Memorial Day weekend, May 27 to May 31. [[Michael Badnarik]] was chosen as the party's presidential candidate, beating out [[Gary Nolan (radio host)|Gary Nolan]] and [[Aaron Russo]] on the third ballot; [[Richard Campagna]] was chosen as the party's vice-presidential candidate over [[Tamara Millay]], and [[Michael Dixon (politician)|Michael Dixon]] was elected chair of the LNC.

===2006===
The 2006 convention was held at the Hilton Portland & Executive Tower in [[Portland, Oregon]], July 1–2.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.lp.org/archives/lpnatconv2006.pdf | title=2006 National Convention Portland, Oregon Draft Minutes | date=February 17, 2007 | access-date=May 3, 2012 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120511111828/http://www.lp.org/archives/lpnatconv2006.pdf | archive-date=May 11, 2012 }}</ref>&nbsp; Delegates chose (in a "retain or delete" vote process) to eliminate about three-quarters of the specific planks in the party's platform<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060712194813/http://www.lp.org/media/article_368.shtml ''LP News''], 07/12/06</ref>

Speakers included:
* [[Michael Badnarik]], candidate for U.S. House of Representatives (TX-10) and the 2004 Libertarian presidential candidate
* Judge [[John A. Buttrick]], Maricopa County (Arizona) Superior Court Judge, 1994 Arizona gubernatorial candidate, 1998 Arizona House of Representatives candidate
* Megan Dickson, an eighth-grade honors student who spoke about [[libertarianism]]
* Patrick Dixon, city councilman, Lago Vista, Texas
* Bill Lynn, alderman, Davenport, Iowa
* [[Tonie Nathan]], former Libertarian vice-presidential candidate, and the first woman to receive an electoral vote in U.S. history
* BetteRose Ryan, at-large LNC member
* Rev. Anthony Williams, candidate for U.S. House of Representatives (IL-2)
* Former Congressman [[Bob Barr]], who has served as the chairman of Patriots to Restore Checks and Balances
* [[Andrew Neil]], founding chairman of [[British Sky Broadcasting|Sky TV]], former publisher of ''[[The Scotsman]]'', former editor of ''[[The Economist]]'' and former editor-in-chief of the ''[[The Sunday Times (UK)|Sunday Times]]''
* Christopher J. Farrell, member of the [[Judicial Watch]]'s board of directors
* Greg Nojeim, associate director and chief legislative counsel for the ACLU
* [[Krist Novoselic]], founding member of the Seattle-based grunge rock band [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]], founder JAMPAC (Joint Artists and Music Promotions Political Action Committee), author of ''Of Grunge and Government: Let's Fix This Broken Democracy''

===2008===
{{Location map+|USA|width=250|float=right|caption=Sites of the 2008 national conventions|places=
{{Location map~|USA|mark=blue-gold pog.svg|marksize=14|lat_deg=39.739167|lon_deg=-104.984722|position=left|background=#FFFFFF|label='''Denver'''}}
{{Location map~|USA|mark=red pog.svg|lat_deg=44.9441|lon_deg=-93.0852|position=top|background=#FFFFFF|label=Saint Paul}}
{{Location map~|USA|mark=purple pog.svg|lat_deg=39.1|lon_deg=-94.58|position=bottom|background=#FFFFFF|label=Kansas City}}
{{Location map~|USA|mark=green pog.svg|lat_deg=41.836944|lon_deg=-87.684444|position=right|background=#FFFFFF|label=Chicago}}
}}{{Main|2008 Libertarian National Convention}}
The 2008 convention was held at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel (formerly the Adam's Mark Hotel) in [[Denver, Colorado]] (the same city as the very first convention in 1972), May 23–26.
{{clear}}

===2010===
{{Main|2010 Libertarian National Convention}}
The 2010 convention was held in [[St. Louis, Missouri]], from Friday, May 28, to Monday, May 31.

===2012===
{{Location map many | USA |left| width=250 |caption=Sites of the 2012 national conventions
| mark1=blue pog.svg | mark1size=8 | lat1_deg=35.2269 | lon1_deg=-80.843333 | label1=Charlotte | position1=bottom
| mark2=red pog.svg | mark2size=8 | lat2_deg=27.9709 | lon2_deg=-82.46464 |coordinates1=| label2=Tampa | position2=left
| mark3=purple pog.svg | mark3size=8 | lat3_deg=36.165 |lon3_deg=-86.784 | label3=Nashville | position3=left
| mark4=yellow pog.svg | mark4size=14 | lat4_deg=36.176 | lon4_deg=-115.137 | label4='''Las Vegas''' | position4=top
| mark5=green pog.svg | mark5size=8 | lat5_deg=39.283333 | lon5_deg=-76.616667 | label5=Baltimore | position5=left
}}{{Main|2012 Libertarian National Convention}}
The 2012 convention was held in [[Las Vegas, Nevada]], May 4–6, 2012.<ref>Myers, Laura (November 30, 2010) [http://www.lvrj.com/news/las-vegas-will-host-libertarian-convention-111027874.html "Las Vegas will host Libertarian convention"], ''[[Las Vegas Review-Journal]]''. Retrieved November 30, 2010.</ref><ref>Malcolm, Andrew (November 30, 2010) [http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2010/11/las-vegas-libertarian-party.html "Las Vegas gets its first national political convention"], ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''. Retrieved November 30, 2010.</ref>
{{clear}}

===2014===
{{Main|2014 Libertarian National Convention}}
The 2014 convention was held in [[Columbus, Ohio]], during the last weekend in June.<ref name="Official Website 2014">{{Cite web |url=http://lpcon2014.org/ |title=Official Website 2014 |access-date=2014-03-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141221080120/https://lpcon2014.org/ |archive-date=2014-12-21 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

===2016===
{{Location map many | USA |left| width=250 |caption=Sites of the 2016 national conventions
| alt=Map of United States showing Orlando, Florida
| mark1=yellow pog.svg | mark1size=14 | lat1_deg=28.245 | lon1_deg=-81.175 | label1='''Orlando''' | position1=top
| mark2=red pog.svg | mark2size=8 | lat2_deg=41.285 |lon2_deg=-81.401 |coordinates1=| label2=Cleveland | position2=top
| mark3=blue pog.svg | mark3size=8 | lat3_deg=39.57 | lon3_deg=-75.10 | label3=Philadelphia | position3=bottom
| mark4=green pog.svg | mark4size=8 | lat4_deg=29.454 | lon4_deg=-95.225 | label4=Houston | position4=left
}}{{Main|2016 Libertarian National Convention}}
The 2016 convention was held in [[Orlando, Florida]], during the last weekend in May.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://reason.com/reasontv/2016/06/03/what-would-success-and-failure-look-like | title=What Would Success (or Failure) Look Like for the Libertarian Party This Year? | work=[[Reason (magazine)|Reason]].com | date=June 3, 2016 | access-date=June 27, 2016 |author1=Weissmueller, Zach |author2=Swain, Joshua }}</ref>
{{clear}}

===2018===
{{Main|2018 Libertarian National Convention}}
The 2018 convention was held from June 30 to July 3 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Nicholas Sarwark was reelected as chair, Alex Merced elected as vice chair, Caryn Ann Harlos elected as secretary, Tim Hagan reelected as treasurer, new at-large members were selected, and a new four-year term Judicial Committee was elected.

===2020===
{{Main|2020 Libertarian National Convention}}
The 2020 convention was scheduled to be held in [[Austin, Texas]], over [[Memorial Day]] weekend, but that was canceled via the enactment of their impossibility clause. Nomination business for president and vice president and potentially, confirmation of the in-person convention, was to be done virtually on Friday, May 22, with ratification to take place sometime in early July. That alternate venue was set by the [[Libertarian National Committee]] for [[Orlando, Florida]], the host city of the [[2016 Libertarian National Convention]].

===2022===
<!-- {{Main|2022 Libertarian National Convention}} -->
The 2022 convention was held on Memorial Day weekend from May 26 to 29 in [[Reno, Nevada]].<ref>[https://lnc2022.com/ "2022 Libertarian National Convention"], Lnc2022.com.</ref><ref>Doherty, Brian (May 29, 2022) [https://reason.com/2022/05/29/mises-caucus-takes-control-of-libertarian-party/ "Mises Caucus Takes Control of Libertarian Party"], ''[[Reason (magazine)|Reason]]''.com. Retrieved May 31, 2022.</ref>

===2024===
{{Main article|2024 Libertarian National Convention}}
The 2024 convention was held from May 24 to the early morning of May 27, 2024, at the [[Washington Hilton]] in [[Washington, D.C.]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://lnc2024.com/|title=Become Ungovernable|website=2024 Libertarian National Convention}}</ref>

==List of Libertarian conventions==
The following is a list of [[United States]] [[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian Party]] [[U.S. presidential nominating convention|Presidential nominating conventions]].

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Libertarian conventions by year, with location and nominees
|-
!scope="col"| Year
!scope="col"| Location
!scope="col"| Presidential nominee
!scope="col"| Vice presidential nominee
|-
!scope="row"| [[1972 Libertarian National Convention|1972]]
| [[Denver, Colorado]]
| [[John Hospers]] of [[California]]
| [[Theodora Nathan]] of [[Oregon]]
|-
!scope="row"| [[1973 Libertarian National Convention|1973]]
| [[Strongsville, Ohio]]
| colspan=2 {{n/a}}
|-
!scope="row"| [[1974 Libertarian National Convention|1974]]
| [[Irving, Texas]]
|-
!scope="row"| [[1975 Libertarian National Convention|1975]]
| [[New York, New York]]
| [[Roger MacBride]] of [[Virginia]]
| [[David Bergland]] of [[California]]
|-
!scope="row"| [[1977 Libertarian National Convention|1977]]
| [[San Francisco, California]]
| colspan=2 {{n/a}}
|-
!scope="row"| [[1979 Libertarian National Convention|1979]]
| rowspan=2| [[Los Angeles, California]]
| rowspan=2| [[Ed Clark]] of [[California]]
| rowspan=2| [[David H. Koch|David Koch]] of [[Kansas]]
|-
!scope="row"| [[Alternative '80|1980]]
|-
!scope="row"| [[1981 Libertarian National Convention|1981]]
| [[Denver, Colorado]]
| colspan=2 {{n/a}}
|-
!scope="row"| [[1983 Libertarian National Convention|1983]]
| [[New York, New York]]
| [[David Bergland]] of [[California]]
| [[James A. Lewis (politician)|James Lewis]] of [[Connecticut]]
|-
!scope="row"| [[1985 Libertarian National Convention|1985]]
| [[Phoenix, Arizona]]
| colspan=2 {{n/a}}
|-
!scope="row"| [[1987 Libertarian National Convention|1987]]
| [[Seattle, Washington]]
| [[Ron Paul]] of [[Texas]]
| [[Andre Marrou]] of [[Alaska]]
|-
!scope="row"| [[1989 Libertarian National Convention|1989]]
| [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]]
| colspan=2 {{n/a}}
|-
!scope="row"| [[1991 Libertarian National Convention|1991]]
| [[Chicago, Illinois]]
| [[Andre Marrou]] of [[Alaska]]
| [[Nancy Lord]] of [[Nevada]]
|-
!scope="row"| [[1993 Libertarian National Convention|1993]]
| [[Salt Lake City, Utah]]
| colspan=2 {{n/a}}
|-
!scope="row"| [[1996 Libertarian National Convention|1996]]
| rowspan=2| [[Washington, D.C.]]
| [[Harry Browne]] of [[Tennessee]]
| [[Jo Jorgensen]] of [[South Carolina]]
|-
!scope="row"| [[1998 Libertarian National Convention|1998]]
| colspan=2 {{n/a}}
|-
!scope="row"| [[2000 Libertarian National Convention|2000]]
| [[Anaheim, California]]
| [[Harry Browne]] of [[Tennessee]]
| [[Art Olivier]] of [[California]]
|-
!scope="row"| [[2002 Libertarian National Convention|2002]]
| [[Indianapolis, Indiana]]
| colspan=2 {{n/a}}
|-
!scope="row"| [[2004 Libertarian National Convention|2004]]
| [[Atlanta, Georgia]]
| [[Michael Badnarik]] of [[Texas]]
| [[Richard Campagna]] of [[Iowa]]
|-
!scope="row"| [[2006 Libertarian National Convention|2006]]
| [[Portland, Oregon]]
| colspan=2 {{n/a}}
|-
!scope="row"| [[2008 Libertarian National Convention|2008]]
| [[Denver, Colorado]]
| [[Bob Barr]] of [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]]
| [[Wayne Allyn Root]] of [[Nevada]]
|-
!scope="row"| [[2010 Libertarian National Convention|2010]]
| [[St. Louis, Missouri]]
| colspan=2 {{n/a}}
|-
!scope="row"| [[2012 Libertarian National Convention|2012]]
| [[Las Vegas Valley]]
| [[Gary Johnson]] of [[New Mexico]]
| [[Jim Gray (jurist)|Jim Gray]] of [[California]]
|-
!scope="row"| [[2014 Libertarian National Convention|2014]]
| [[Columbus, Ohio]]
| colspan=2 {{n/a}}
|-
!scope="row"| [[2016 Libertarian National Convention|2016]]
| [[Orlando, Florida]]
| [[Gary Johnson]] of [[New Mexico]]
| [[Bill Weld]] of [[Massachusetts]]
|-
!scope="row"| [[2018 Libertarian National Convention|2018]]
| [[New Orleans, Louisiana]]
| colspan=2 {{n/a}}
|-
!scope="row"| [[2020 Libertarian National Convention|2020]]
| Virtual/[[Orlando, Florida]]
| [[Jo Jorgensen]] of [[South Carolina]]
| [[Spike Cohen]] of [[South Carolina]]
|-
!scope="row"| [[2022 Libertarian National Convention|2022]]
| [[Reno, Nevada]]
| colspan=2 {{n/a}}
|-
! scope="row"| [[2024 Libertarian National Convention|2024]]
| [[Washington, D.C.]]
| [[Chase Oliver]] of [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]]
| [[Mike ter Maat]] of [[Virginia]]
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{U.S. presidential primaries}}
{{U.S. Libertarian Party}}

[[Category:Libertarian Party (United States) National Conventions|*]]