Fw: Dues

[Paul Darr]

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

 

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.

In liberty,

Dr. Chuck Moulton

Sent from my iPhone

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.

 

-MWS

(719) 464-2120

mike.s...@gmail.com

 

[Rob Latham]

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

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[Mike Seebeck]

Most of those questions are better suited for a CPA and a FEC attorney.

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/lnc-bylaws-committee/CAOKuKGn0USRV5QU62t%3D8fU2FkY7kG%2BQGAeVR4RqjCpPcym-e%3DA%40mail.gmail.com.

[Paul Darr]

1. It is a nonprofit political committee. You will see both parts referenced when it is applicable to a particular filing.
   https://mywikis-wiki-media.s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/lpedia/AOI_1995_LNCINC.pdf
2. 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.
3. It only matters to us internally to the Party.
4. 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.
5. 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

 

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/lnc-bylaws-committee/CAGasu4Qd%2Br4B80pxCEar6U_ihqwgH3ufachVeHKvxmsYShBn_A%40mail.gmail.com.

[Rob Latham]

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.

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/lnc-bylaws-committee/SA0PR13MB4062C3F84D5588251647EC879176A%40SA0PR13MB4062.namprd13.prod.outlook.com.