1983 Libertarian National Convention

1983 Libertarian National Convention

1984 presidential election
Convention
Date(s)	August 29 - September 4
City	New York City
Candidates
Presidential nominee	David Bergland of California
Vice Presidential nominee	James A. Lewis of Connecticut
Other candidates	Earl Ravenal of Washington D.C. Mary Ruwart of Michigan

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 presidency and James A. Lewis for the vice-presidency 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	35.38%
David Bergland	185	34.45%
Mary Ruwart	77	14.34%
Toni Nathan	53	9.87%
Richard Siano	21	3.91%
None of the Above	7	1.30%
Others (scattered)	4	0.74%
	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	40.60%
Earl Ravenal	198	36.87%
Mary Ruwart	99	18.44%
Others (scattered)	22	4.10%
	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	48.42%
Earl Ravenal	243	45.25%
None of the Above	34	6.33%
	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	51.53%
Earl Ravenal	230	43.89%
None of the Above	24	4.58%
	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	31.39%
James A. Lewis	117	26.23%
David Nolan	84	18.83%
Joe Fuhrig	61	13.68%
Others (scattered)	44	9.87%
	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	46.19%
Mary Ruwart	145	32.51%
Joe Fuhrig	91	20.40%
Others (Scattered)	4	0.90%
	Color key: 1st place 2nd place 3rd place 4th place

References

1. Rothbard, Murray (Sep–Oct 1983). "Total Victory: How Sweet It Is!" (PDF). The Libertarian Forum via Ludwig Von Mises Institute. Retrieved May 28, 2012.
2. Paul Grant
3. Libertarian Party Bylaws
4. Rothbard, Murray (Sep–Oct 1983). "Total Victory: How Sweet It Is!" (PDF). The Libertarian Forum via Ludwig Von Mises Institute. p. 12. Retrieved May 28, 2012.