FW: Ballot on Appeal of the Ruling of the Chair

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From: Evan McMahon <evan.m...@lp.org>
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2026 6:02:01 PM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Entire LNC <entir...@lp.org>
Cc: lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>
Subject: Ballot on Appeal of the Ruling of the Chair

There is an email ballot on an appeal of the ruling of the chair - on chair's ruling that all donations and contributions to the LNC count towards membership.

Motion: Shall the ruling of the chair be sustained? 

Yes  = sustaining the ruling of the chair

No = overrule the ruling of the chair

Sponsor: Mr. Thompson

Deadline: Voting closes  02/22/2026 by 11:59pm Pacific.

Vote Tracker: https://tinyurl.com/LNCvotes26

Threshold: Majority to overrule

Evan McMahon Secretary Libertarian National Committee evan.m...@lp.org ‪(317) 455-6986 lp.org

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From: Travis Bost <travi...@lp.org>
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2026 6:11:41 PM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Evan McMahon <evan.m...@lp.org>; Entire LNC <entir...@lp.org>
Cc: lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>
Subject: Re: Ballot on Appeal of the Ruling of the Chair

Do you mean donations & contributions to include tickets & merchandise?

Travis L. Bost

LNC At-Large

Travi...@LP.org

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From: Evan McMahon <evan.m...@lp.org>
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2026 1:02:01 PM

To: Entire LNC <entir...@lp.org>
Cc: lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>
Subject: Ballot on Appeal of the Ruling of the Chair

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From: Evan McMahon <evan.m...@lp.org>
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2026 6:14:02 PM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Travis Bost <travi...@lp.org>; Entire LNC <entir...@lp.org>

Cc: lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>
Subject: Re: Ballot on Appeal of the Ruling of the Chair

Mr. Bost this is the thread for the points of order made and the ruling of chair - 

https://groups.google.com/g/lnc-public/c/Xs3MmwFCqEk

Evan McMahon Secretary Libertarian National Committee evan.m...@lp.org ‪(317) 455-6986 lp.org

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From: Travis Bost <travi...@lp.org>
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2026 1:11 PM

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From: Keith Thompson <keith.t...@lp.org>
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2026 6:16:46 PM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Evan McMahon <evan.m...@lp.org>; Travis Bost <travi...@lp.org>; Entire LNC <entir...@lp.org>

Cc: lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>
Subject: Re: Ballot on Appeal of the Ruling of the Chair

I vote nay, to not sustain the ruling of the Chair.

I do not think LP Store merch, t-shirts, event tickets, etc. should count toward dues and lifetime memberships.

This would lead to some pretty major changes, and would possibly impact delegate allocations after some conventions have already been held.

Keith Thompson

Region 3 South Rep

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From: Evan McMahon <evan.m...@lp.org>
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2026 12:14 PM

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From: Robert Vinson <robert...@lp.org>
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2026 6:19:09 PM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Keith Thompson <keith.t...@lp.org>; Evan McMahon <evan.m...@lp.org>; Travis Bost <travi...@lp.org>; Entire LNC <entir...@lp.org>

Cc: lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>
Subject: Re: Ballot on Appeal of the Ruling of the Chair

I also believe I made a $50 donation in 2025 after Miami; I could be wrong. I vote yes.

Best,

RV

Get Outlook for iOS

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From: Keith Thompson <keith.t...@lp.org>
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2026 12:16:46 PM

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From: Travis Bost <travi...@lp.org>
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2026 6:21:27 PM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Keith Thompson <keith.t...@lp.org>; Evan McMahon <evan.m...@lp.org>; Entire LNC <entir...@lp.org>

Cc: lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>
Subject: Re: Ballot on Appeal of the Ruling of the Chair

Thank you Mr. Secretary, I am familiar with the thread; I just wanted to clarify in this thread the specific ruling being appealed, “that merchandise, convention packages, and other purchases count toward membership dues.”

I vote “no”. 

Travis L. Bost

LNC At-Large

Travi...@LP.org

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From: Keith Thompson <keith.t...@lp.org>
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2026 1:16:46 PM

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From: Evan McMahon <evan.m...@lp.org>
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2026 6:34:37 PM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Travis Bost <travi...@lp.org>; Keith Thompson <keith.t...@lp.org>; Entire LNC <entir...@lp.org>

Cc: lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>
Subject: Re: Ballot on Appeal of the Ruling of the Chair

I vote Yes.

Evan McMahon Secretary Libertarian National Committee evan.m...@lp.org ‪(317) 455-6986 lp.org

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From: Travis Bost <travi...@lp.org>
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2026 1:21 PM

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From: Steven Nekhaila <steven....@lp.org>
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2026 6:42:49 PM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Evan McMahon <evan.m...@lp.org>; Travis Bost <travi...@lp.org>; Keith Thompson <keith.t...@lp.org>; Entire LNC <entir...@lp.org>

Cc: lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>
Subject: Re: Ballot on Appeal of the Ruling of the Chair

Aye.

Sincerely,

Steven Nekhaila

Chairman, LNC

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From: Evan McMahon <evan.m...@lp.org>
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2026 2:34:37 PM

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From: Keith Thompson <keith.t...@lp.org>
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2026 6:44:23 PM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Steven Nekhaila <steven....@lp.org>; Evan McMahon <evan.m...@lp.org>; Travis Bost <travi...@lp.org>; Entire LNC <entir...@lp.org>

Cc: lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>
Subject: Re: Ballot on Appeal of the Ruling of the Chair

I request that we hear debate on the appeal of the ruling of the Chair.

Keith Thompson

Region 3 South Rep

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From: Steven Nekhaila <steven....@lp.org>
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2026 12:42 PM

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From: Travis Bost <travi...@lp.org>
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2026 6:45:08 PM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Keith Thompson <keith.t...@lp.org>; Steven Nekhaila <steven....@lp.org>; Evan McMahon <evan.m...@lp.org>; Entire LNC <entir...@lp.org>

Cc: lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>
Subject: Re: Ballot on Appeal of the Ruling of the Chair

So would I.

Travis L. Bost

LNC At-Large

Travi...@LP.org

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From: Keith Thompson <keith.t...@lp.org>
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2026 1:44:23 PM

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From: Doug Knebel <doug....@lp.org>
Sent: Monday, February 16, 2026 1:27:45 AM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Travis Bost <travi...@lp.org>; Keith Thompson <keith.t...@lp.org>; Steven Nekhaila <steven....@lp.org>; Evan McMahon <evan.m...@lp.org>; Entire LNC <entir...@lp.org>

Cc: lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>
Subject: Re: Ballot on Appeal of the Ruling of the Chair

I vote nay.

Doug Knebel

LNC At-Large Director

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From: Travis Bost <travi...@lp.org>
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2026 1:45 PM

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From: Bill Redpath <bill.r...@lp.org>
Sent: Monday, February 16, 2026 3:19:55 PM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Doug Knebel <doug....@lp.org>; Travis Bost <travi...@lp.org>; Keith Thompson <keith.t...@lp.org>; Steven Nekhaila <steven....@lp.org>; Evan McMahon <evan.m...@lp.org>; Entire LNC <entir...@lp.org>

Cc: lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>
Subject: Re: Ballot on Appeal of the Ruling of the Chair

I also vote No. Bill Redpath

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From: Doug Knebel <doug....@lp.org>
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2026 8:27 PM

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From: Steven Nekhaila <steven....@lp.org>
Sent: Monday, February 16, 2026 3:45:27 PM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Bill Redpath <bill.r...@lp.org>; Doug Knebel <doug....@lp.org>; Travis Bost <travi...@lp.org>; Keith Thompson <keith.t...@lp.org>; Evan McMahon <evan.m...@lp.org>; Entire LNC <entir...@lp.org>

Cc: lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>
Subject: Re: Ballot on Appeal of the Ruling of the Chair

There is no law, bylaw, or policy manual clause that explicitly states that only certain types of contributions are donations.

The FEC treats all donations as contributions. The concept or fair market value for things like merchandise is only applicable to non-profits, not political parties. All of our merchandise sales, convention, and event tix legally falls under contributions.

Therefore, we do not have discretion unless explicitly stated otherwise.

If folks would like to see this as the case, then a PM or bylaw amendment should be passed.

Sincerely,

Steven Nekhaila

Chairman, LNC

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From: Bill Redpath <bill.r...@lp.org>
Sent: Monday, February 16, 2026 11:19:55 AM

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From: Robert Vinson <robert...@lp.org>
Sent: Monday, February 16, 2026 3:54:52 PM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Steven Nekhaila <steven....@lp.org>; Bill Redpath <bill.r...@lp.org>; Doug Knebel <doug....@lp.org>; Travis Bost <travi...@lp.org>; Keith Thompson <keith.t...@lp.org>; Evan McMahon <evan.m...@lp.org>; Entire LNC <entir...@lp.org>

Cc: lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>
Subject: Re: Ballot on Appeal of the Ruling of the Chair

I vote yes.

Get Outlook for iOS

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From: Steven Nekhaila <steven....@lp.org>
Sent: Monday, February 16, 2026 9:45:27 AM

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From: Dustin Coffell <dustin....@lp.org>
Sent: Tuesday, February 17, 2026 3:30:03 AM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Evan McMahon <evan.m...@lp.org>; Entire LNC <entir...@lp.org>

Cc: lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>
Subject: Re: Ballot on Appeal of the Ruling of the Chair

I vote yes.

Dustin Coffell

Region 3 North Representative, Libertarian National Committee

dustin....@lp.org

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From: Evan McMahon <evan.m...@lp.org>
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2026 12:02 PM

To: Entire LNC <entir...@lp.org>
Cc: lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>
Subject: Ballot on Appeal of the Ruling of the Chair

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From: Sam Bohler <samuel...@lp.org>
Sent: Friday, February 20, 2026 1:20:14 AM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Dustin Coffell <dustin....@lp.org>; Evan McMahon <evan.m...@lp.org>; Entire LNC <entir...@lp.org>

Cc: lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>
Subject: Re: Ballot on Appeal of the Ruling of the Chair

Yes

Get Outlook for iOS

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From: Dustin Coffell <dustin....@lp.org>
Sent: Monday, February 16, 2026 9:30:03 PM

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From: Paul Darr <paul...@lp.org>
Sent: Friday, February 20, 2026 1:57:57 AM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Sam Bohler <samuel...@lp.org>; Dustin Coffell <dustin....@lp.org>; Evan McMahon <evan.m...@lp.org>; Entire LNC <entir...@lp.org>

Cc: lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>
Subject: Re: Ballot on Appeal of the Ruling of the Chair

I vote, yes.

Respectfully,

Paul Darr

Vice Chair

Libertarian National Committee

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From: Sam Bohler <samuel...@lp.org>
Sent: Thursday, February 19, 2026 7:20 PM

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From: Andrew Chadderdon <andrew.c...@lp.org>
Sent: Friday, February 20, 2026 2:39:34 AM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Paul Darr <paul...@lp.org>; Sam Bohler <samuel...@lp.org>; Dustin Coffell <dustin....@lp.org>; Evan McMahon <evan.m...@lp.org>; Entire LNC <entir...@lp.org>

Cc: lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>
Subject: Re: Ballot on Appeal of the Ruling of the Chair

I vote no

Andrew Chadderdon

Region 1 Rep | Libertarian National Committee

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From: Paul Darr <paul...@lp.org>
Sent: Thursday, February 19, 2026 8:57:57 PM

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From: Meredith Hays <meredi...@lp.org>
Sent: Friday, February 20, 2026 8:08:05 PM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik

To: Dustin Coffell <dustin....@lp.org>; Evan McMahon <evan.m...@lp.org>; Entire LNC <entir...@lp.org>
Cc: lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>
Subject: Re: Ballot on Appeal of the Ruling of the Chair

Yes to sustaining the ruling of the chair 

Meredith Hays

Region 4 Rep, Libertarian National Committee

lp.org | meredi...@lp.org

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From: Dustin Coffell <dustin....@lp.org>
Sent: Monday, February 16, 2026 7:30:03 PM

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From: Keith Thompson <keith.t...@lp.org>
Sent: Friday, February 20, 2026 9:20:56 PM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Meredith Hays <meredi...@lp.org>; Dustin Coffell <dustin....@lp.org>; Evan McMahon <evan.m...@lp.org>; Entire LNC <entir...@lp.org>

Cc: lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>
Subject: Re: Ballot on Appeal of the Ruling of the Chair

Keith Thompson

Region 3 South Rep

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From: Meredith Hays <meredi...@lp.org>
Sent: Friday, February 20, 2026 2:08 PM

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From: Mimi Robson <mimi....@lp.org>
Sent: Friday, February 20, 2026 9:26:50 PM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Keith Thompson <keith.t...@lp.org>; Meredith Hays <meredi...@lp.org>; Dustin Coffell <dustin....@lp.org>; Evan McMahon <evan.m...@lp.org>; Entire LNC <entir...@lp.org>

Cc: lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>
Subject: Re: Ballot on Appeal of the Ruling of the Chair

I'm not sure if this is allowed in emails for votes, but I wanted to quickly respond to Keith's point.

I believe that's the question we are answering.  Is that actually per the bylaws?  Below is the actual bylaw and it doesn't say that, it just says donations.  And being we report store and convention purchases to the FEC as donations, it seems that we are saying that counts.

ARTICLE 4: MEMBERSHIP

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.

2. The National Committee may offer life memberships and must honor all prior and future life memberships.

3. The National Committee may create other levels of membership and shall determine the contribution or dues levels for such memberships.

4. “Sustaining members” are members of the Party who:

a. During the prior 12 months have donated, or have had donated on their behalf, an amount of at least $25; or

b. Are Life members. 

I believe we should pass a special rule of order to better define this, but for now I believe the ruling of the chair is correct.

Mimi Robson

LNC Region 4 Alternate

lp.org | mimi....@lp.org

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From: Keith Thompson <keith.t...@lp.org>
Sent: Friday, February 20, 2026 1:20 PM

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From: Keith Thompson <keith.t...@lp.org>
Sent: Friday, February 20, 2026 10:09:05 PM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Mimi Robson <mimi....@lp.org>; Meredith Hays <meredi...@lp.org>; Dustin Coffell <dustin....@lp.org>; Evan McMahon <evan.m...@lp.org>; Entire LNC <entir...@lp.org>

Cc: lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>
Subject: Re: Ballot on Appeal of the Ruling of the Chair

In several places, the FEC draws a distinction between a donation and a contribution.

"donation means a payment, gift, subscription, loan, advance, deposit, or anything of value given to a person, but does not include contributions."

"to solicit means to ask, request, or recommend, explicitly or implicitly, that another person make a contribution, donation, transfer of funds, or otherwise provide anything of value."

I argue that the FEC meaning of the term has nothing to do with the bylaws, unless the bylaws said "FEC donation" or "FEC contribution." 

The dictionary definition of donation is simply "the making of a gift especially to a charity or public institution" / "a free contribution" - this is distinct from sales, which are not in the nature of a gift - they are purchases of items and services.

Regarding Mr. Vinson: we've often voted on opposite sides, but I'm not so petty that I'd seize a technicality to remove him from the board.

If the ruling is overturned, I intend to vote to reinstate him -- and I think that's the universal opinion here.

I don't want him or anyone else to think this is a plot to remove him due to an easily cured technicality.

This is to prevent a reinterpretation of the bylaws in contrast to a long-held position that's even codified in the membership report itself.

I agree that we should clarify this point in the bylaws at convention. But I do not think the lack of clarity means we must use the FEC's definition for political contribution vs the dictionary and common usage of donation.

If we change the meaning of "donation," would we suddenly owe people who were given incorrect quotes for lifetime memberships?

Would the new owner of the LPHQ building be able to gift out 500+ lifetime memberships? 

Do we need to re-calculate the membership numbers to include people who have bought $25 of merch?

It's far easier and cleaner to leave the interpretation alone and simply vote Mr. Vinson back on.

Thanks,

Keith Thompson

Region 3 South Rep

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From: Mimi Robson <mimi....@lp.org>
Sent: Friday, February 20, 2026 3:26 PM

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From: Austin Martin <austin...@lp.org>
Sent: Saturday, February 21, 2026 12:13:53 AM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Keith Thompson <keith.t...@lp.org>; Mimi Robson <mimi....@lp.org>; Meredith Hays <meredi...@lp.org>; Dustin Coffell <dustin....@lp.org>; Evan McMahon <evan.m...@lp.org>; Entire LNC <entir...@lp.org>

Cc: lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>
Subject: Re: Ballot on Appeal of the Ruling of the Chair

I agree with Mr. Thompson's points here, however I think it's unconscionable that we aren't contesting Steven Nekhaila's absurd and abusive ruling to remove members from the LNC without due process for curable lapses. 

This discussion only matters because of an illegal and immoral attempt to rig the LNC and apparently the convention. 

Truth is, we are appealing the wrong ruling entirely, but no one has enough of a spine to stand up directly to the others on this committee — for fear of social/political rejection, isolation, and controversy. 

It makes me fucking sick. 

Join the fight and support the removal of Antifa from the LP by donating at the link below:

Lp.org/martindonor 

Ua may ke ea o ka ʻāina i ka pono

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From: Keith Thompson <keith.t...@lp.org>
Sent: Friday, February 20, 2026 12:09:05 PM

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From: Jonathan McGee <jonatha...@lp.org>
Sent: Saturday, February 21, 2026 4:01:33 AM (UTC+00:00) Monrovia, Reykjavik
To: Austin Martin <austin...@lp.org>; Keith Thompson <keith.t...@lp.org>; Mimi Robson <mimi....@lp.org>; Meredith Hays <meredi...@lp.org>; Dustin Coffell <dustin....@lp.org>; Evan McMahon <evan.m...@lp.org>; Entire LNC <entir...@lp.org>

Cc: lnc-public_forward <lnc-publi...@lp.org>
Subject: Re: Ballot on Appeal of the Ruling of the Chair

I vote yes

Jonathan McGee

Region 2 Representative, Libertarian National Committee

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From: Austin Martin <austin...@lp.org>
Sent: Friday, February 20, 2026 6:13 PM