By suing to remove a qualified Libertarian candidate, the RECDC is sending a clear message. That they, not the voters, are the true arbiters of who gets to appear on the ballot. The establishment seeks to act as a gatekeeper of our Republic, which deprives voters and candidates of their legal rights.

This lawsuit is especially troubling because it targets Addison Liberty Patrick, who is a Libertarian Party of Florida Executive Committee member and former Chair of the Duval County Libertarian Party. Addison has deep community roots and a proven record, advocating for civic engagement, collaboration, individual liberty, and fiscal responsibility. This litigious effort is not about technical compliance; it is about silencing a voice that challenges the status quo.

If this challenge succeeds, the same weapon can be turned against other Libertarians, new parties, new voters, and any candidates who do not fit neatly into the major-party system. One party can now weaponize the courts and a brand-new statute to eliminate opponents before voters have their say. Today it is the Libertarians, tomorrow it could be any group offering real alternatives to the establishment.

The Libertarian Party of Florida Executive Committee stands firmly with Addison Liberty Patrick, the unquestionably qualified Libertarian candidate for Jacksonville City Council, At Large Group 1. We call on the courts to consider the unconstitutionality of the application of this statute and defer to the Libertarian Party’s clear association standing rule.

The Libertarian Party of Florida’s Official Resolution below.

RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF BALLOT ACCESS, PARTY AUTONOMY, AND LIBERTARIAN CANDIDATE ADDISON LIBERTY PATRICK

WHEREAS, the Libertarian Party exists to defend individual liberty, political freedom, and the right of voters to choose from a full and competitive ballot; and

WHEREAS, the Libertarian Party Platform states that political parties, as private voluntary groups, should be free to establish their own rules for nominations, primaries, and conventions,and opposes laws that effectively exclude alternative candidates and parties or deny voters the right to consider all alternatives; and

WHEREAS, the Libertarian Party has long recognized ballot access as a core struggle against dominant-party efforts to prevent Libertarian candidates from appearing on ballots; and

WHEREAS, Addison Liberty Patrick is the official Libertarian Party of Florida candidate for Jacksonville City Council, At-Large Group 1 in the 2026 special election; and

WHEREAS, LP Florida Standing Rules, Article VII, Section 3, provide that “LPF members who wish to run for partisan public office automatically satisfy all party affiliation requirements of Florida Statute 99.021(1)(b)”; and

WHEREAS, the Republican Party is attempting to remove Ms. Patrick from the ballot under a newly amended statute giving opposing candidates or their political parties standing to sue a rival candidate over their anti-competitive interpretation of the party affiliation rule; and

WHEREAS, to our knowledge, this is the first time this new enforcement mechanism has been used to attempt to remove a candidate from the ballot;

WHEREAS, political parties have a constitutional right of association to determine their own members, rules, and candidates, and a rival political party has no legitimate authority to decide who is the official Libertarian Party candidate;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Libertarian Party of Florida Executive Committee:
1. Affirms Addison Liberty Patrick as a party member and as the official Libertarian Party of Florida candidate for Jacksonville City Council, At-Large Group 1;
2. Condemns any attempt by a rival political party to define Libertarian Party membership or candidacy;
3. Supports Ms. Patrick’s defense of ballot access, party autonomy, and voter choice, including by advocating support in the lawsuit against her; and
4. Encourages Libertarians and all supporters of fair elections to stand with Addison Liberty Patrick by donating, volunteering, and spreading the word about her campaign.

Adopted this 30th day of June, 2026

Please donate to Addison Liberty Patrick's campaign today to help her fight this battle. https://addisonlibertypatrick.com/