Fw: Dues
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Paul Darr
Feb 19, 2026, 8:07:24 AM (3 days ago) Feb 19
to lnc-bylaws...@googlegroups.com
Forwarding to the public group.
Respectfully,
Paul Darr
Vice Chair
Libertarian National Committee
From: Chuck Moulton <ch...@moulton.org>
Sent: Wednesday, February 18, 2026 6:50 PM
To: mike.seebeck <mike.s...@gmail.com>
Cc: Bylaws Committee 2026 <bylawscomm...@lp.org>
Subject: Re: Dues
Sent: Wednesday, February 18, 2026 6:50 PM
To: mike.seebeck <mike.s...@gmail.com>
Cc: Bylaws Committee 2026 <bylawscomm...@lp.org>
Subject: Re: Dues
Note that there was a proposal last term which addressed this issue. Perhaps we should look at that for language ideas when we are considering this amendment. It was Ken Moellman's proposal dividing up and renaming membership classes.
Sent from my iPhone
In liberty,
Dr. Chuck Moulton
On Feb 18, 2026, at 6:44 PM, Mike Seebeck <mike.s...@gmail.com> wrote:
Due to recent LNC discussions, I give notice of a revisit of the Dues proposal with the attached wording to address the controversy cleanly.
Rob Latham
Feb 21, 2026, 6:44:20 PM (23 hours ago) Feb 21
to lnc-bylaws...@googlegroups.com
I favor whatever approach is administratively easier for the LNC and want to base a decision on this proposal on accurate information.
In figuring out what that is, I have these questions:
1. Is the Libertarian National Committee a nonprofit organization (see https://independentpoliticalreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2024-CAB-2804-Vest-v.-McArdle-et-al.-C.pdf) or a national party committee (see 202508209789763166.pdf)? Or some other type of entity? Or more than one type of entity?
Compare
https://independentpoliticalreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2024-CAB-2804-Vest-v.-McArdle-et-al.-C.pdf
and
https://docquery.fec.gov/pdf/166/202508209789763166/202508209789763166.pdf
2. Does what regulatory agencies treat the Libertarian National Committee is treated as (nonprofit organization / national party committee / something else) affect the treatment of funds transferred to the Libertarian National Committee by an eligible individual intending to be a sustaining member?
3. If FEC regulations and/or federal law treats "dues" as reportable "contributions," what is the value in calling what the FEC treats as contributions "dues" in the bylaws?
4. Would calling "dues" what the FEC calls "contributions" increase the administrative burden upon the LNC because funds intended as dues would have to be differentiated and/or segregated from other contributed funds?
5. Would not the pledge requirement (Article 4.1 - "Members of the Party shall be those persons who have certified in writing that they oppose the initiation of force to achieve political or social goals.") separate an individual not intending to become a sustaining member from inadvertently becoming a sustaining member because of a purchase from the party store?
In liberty,
Rob Latham
In figuring out what that is, I have these questions:
1. Is the Libertarian National Committee a nonprofit organization (see https://independentpoliticalreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2024-CAB-2804-Vest-v.-McArdle-et-al.-C.pdf) or a national party committee (see 202508209789763166.pdf)? Or some other type of entity? Or more than one type of entity?
Compare
https://independentpoliticalreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2024-CAB-2804-Vest-v.-McArdle-et-al.-C.pdfand
https://docquery.fec.gov/pdf/166/202508209789763166/202508209789763166.pdf2. Does what regulatory agencies treat the Libertarian National Committee is treated as (nonprofit organization / national party committee / something else) affect the treatment of funds transferred to the Libertarian National Committee by an eligible individual intending to be a sustaining member?
3. If FEC regulations and/or federal law treats "dues" as reportable "contributions," what is the value in calling what the FEC treats as contributions "dues" in the bylaws?
4. Would calling "dues" what the FEC calls "contributions" increase the administrative burden upon the LNC because funds intended as dues would have to be differentiated and/or segregated from other contributed funds?
5. Would not the pledge requirement (Article 4.1 - "Members of the Party shall be those persons who have certified in writing that they oppose the initiation of force to achieve political or social goals.") separate an individual not intending to become a sustaining member from inadvertently becoming a sustaining member because of a purchase from the party store?
In liberty,
Rob Latham
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Mike Seebeck
Feb 21, 2026, 8:09:41 PM (21 hours ago) Feb 21
to LNC Bylaws Committee
Most of those questions are better suited for a CPA and a FEC attorney.
Paul Darr
Feb 21, 2026, 8:29:13 PM (21 hours ago) Feb 21
to LNC Bylaws Committee
-
It is a nonprofit political committee. You will see both parts referenced when it is applicable to a particular filing.
-
I understand funds transferred are classified as contributions as they are used for a political purpose. Even "keeping the lights on" of the party is a political purpose. But I would have to talk to our FEC Consultant for a more specific answer.
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It only matters to us internally to the Party.
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That could be done but having a specific tracking UTM towards it, but it would significantly decrease membership as no members have paid "dues" currently. Making some crazy implications if not defined better. In addition it would deter donating to other funds like ballot access and historical preservation.
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Not necessarily once the pledge is signed once, it counts going forward.
Part of this all comes from taking these from other orgs that were running these as purchases and then moving them into the LNC and tracking as contributions to the party.
Respectfully,
Paul Darr
Vice Chair
Libertarian National Committee
From: lnc-bylaws...@googlegroups.com <lnc-bylaws...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Mike Seebeck <mike.s...@gmail.com>
Sent: Saturday, February 21, 2026 7:09 PM
To: LNC Bylaws Committee <lnc-bylaws...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: Fw: Dues
Sent: Saturday, February 21, 2026 7:09 PM
To: LNC Bylaws Committee <lnc-bylaws...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: Fw: Dues
Rob Latham
Feb 21, 2026, 9:56:34 PM (19 hours ago) Feb 21
to lnc-bylaws...@googlegroups.com
Thank you, Paul.
Sharing the attached proposal as a way to illuminate issues by looking at them from another angle/provide contrast (e.g., what if the concept of dues was jettisoned and replaced with the concept of contributions (especially if that is what the FEC is going to treat dues as any way)); not at all sure any of these proposals are advisable at this time without more guidance from those better positioned to share their learned opinions.
In liberty,
Rob Latham
P.S.: And to Mr. Darr's answer on question #5, point well taken. Had not thought of the scenario in which there is a one time pledge-signer and dues payer, who then purchases something valued at more than $25 (or whatever the minimum dues amount is at that time) from the party store five years later.
Sharing the attached proposal as a way to illuminate issues by looking at them from another angle/provide contrast (e.g., what if the concept of dues was jettisoned and replaced with the concept of contributions (especially if that is what the FEC is going to treat dues as any way)); not at all sure any of these proposals are advisable at this time without more guidance from those better positioned to share their learned opinions.
In liberty,
Rob Latham
P.S.: And to Mr. Darr's answer on question #5, point well taken. Had not thought of the scenario in which there is a one time pledge-signer and dues payer, who then purchases something valued at more than $25 (or whatever the minimum dues amount is at that time) from the party store five years later.
Paul Darr
2:57 PM (2 hours ago) 2:57 PM
to lnc-bylaws...@googlegroups.com
I will mention that I do like how a previous proposal attempted to incorporate the exclusions:
Respectfully,
Paul Darr
Vice Chair
Libertarian National Committee
From: lnc-bylaws...@googlegroups.com <lnc-bylaws...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Rob Latham <freeu...@gmail.com>
Sent: Saturday, February 21, 2026 8:56 PM
To: lnc-bylaws...@googlegroups.com <lnc-bylaws...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: Fw: Dues
Sent: Saturday, February 21, 2026 8:56 PM
To: lnc-bylaws...@googlegroups.com <lnc-bylaws...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: Fw: Dues
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