1983 Libertarian National Convention Explained

The 1983 Libertarian National Convention was held from August 29 to September 4, 1983, at the Sheraton Hotel in New York, New York. The delegates at the convention, on behalf of the U.S. Libertarian Party, nominated David Bergland for the president and James A. Lewis for the vice president in the 1984 presidential election.^[1]

Paul Grant was elected as chairman of the Libertarian Party National Committee, winning out over Sheldon Richman. Grant served as chairman from 1983 to 1985.^[2]

Libertarians hold a National Convention every two years to vote on party bylaws, platform and resolutions and elect national party officers and a judicial committee. Every four years it nominates presidential and vice presidential candidates.^[3]

Voting for presidential nomination

First ballot

1983 Libertarian Party National Convention total vote count: Round 1

Candidate	Total votes cast	Percent of votes cast
Earl Ravenal	190	35.4%
	185	34.5%
	77	14.3%
	53	10.0%
	21	3.9%
	7	1.3%
	4	0.7%
	Color key: 1st place 2nd place 3rd place 4th place 5th place 6th place 7th place

Second ballot

1983 Libertarian Party National Convention total vote count: Round 2

Candidate	Total votes cast	Percent of votes cast
David Bergland	218	40.6%
	198	36.9%
	99	18.4%
Others (scattered)	22	4.1%
	Color key: 1st place 2nd place 3rd place 4th place

After the second round, Mary Ruwart dropped out, throwing her support for David Bergland.^[4]

Third ballot

1983 Libertarian Party National Convention total vote count: Round 3

Candidate	Total votes cast	Percent of votes cast
David Bergland	260	48.4%
	243	45.3%
	34	6.3%
	Color key: 1st place 2nd place 3rd place

Fourth Ballot

1983 Libertarian Party National Convention total vote count: Round 4

Candidate	Total votes cast	Percent of votes cast
David Bergland	270	51.5%
	230	43.9%
	24	4.6%
	Color key: 1st place 2nd place 3rd place

Voting for vice presidential nomination

A separate vote was held for the vice presidential nomination.

First ballot

After the first ballot, David Nolan (finishing third) dropped out, throwing his support for James A. Lewis

1983 Libertarian Party National Convention total vote count: Round 1

Candidate	Total votes cast	Percent of votes cast
Mary Ruwart	140	31.4%
	117	26.2%
	84	18.8%
	61	13.7%
Others (scattered)	44	9.9%
	Color key: 1st place 2nd place 3rd place 4th place 5th place

Second ballot

Upon Completion of the second ballot, Fuhrig withdrew, allowing Jim Lewis to secure the nomination on the third and final ballot.

1983 Libertarian Party National Convention total vote count: Round 2

Candidate	Total votes cast	Percent of votes cast
James A. Lewis	206	46.2%
	145	32.5%
	91	20.4%
Others (Scattered)	4	0.9%
	Color key: 1st place 2nd place 3rd place 4th place

See also

• 1984 Democratic National Convention
• 1984 Republican National Convention
• 1984 United States presidential election
• U.S. presidential nomination convention

Notes and References

1. News: Total Victory: How Sweet It Is! . Rothbard, Murray . . Sep–Oct 1983 . May 28, 2012.
2. Paul Grant
3. Web site: Libertarian Party Bylaws. https://web.archive.org/web/20080605025750/http://www.lp.org/organization/bylaws.shtml. dead. June 5, 2008.
4. News: Total Victory: How Sweet It Is! . Rothbard, Murray . 12 . . Sep–Oct 1983 . May 28, 2012.