At the Missouri Libertarian Party State Convention, held March 4^th, 2006, the MoLP State Committee adopted a resolution reaffirming its opposition to the "oath" that is required for membership in the National Libertarian Party. The oath in question is specified in the National LP bylaws, section 7: "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."

Members of the MoLP noted that although we all might agree with the sentiment expressed in the oath, making it a requirement of membership can cause confusion and apprehension among potential new members; and therefore, that it stands as an impediment to recruitment and growth for the Libertarian Party.

The Missouri Libertarian Party removed the oath as a membership requirement in 1985, welcoming new members in spite of their reticence or unwillingness to agree to the required certification by the National LP. Since that time, the MoLP has experienced growth beyond that recorded in the national membership roster.

Although it has required the maintenance of a separate database from that of the National LP, the oath-free status of the MoLP has not been a hindrance to success: Having consistently achieved the necessary 2% voting percentages statewide since 1992, the MoLP has maintained as an official status of being an "established" political party under Missouri election laws, granting the MoLP ballot access without petitioning and state primary elections for the selection of candidates. As a consequence of this official status, the MoLP organizational structure is governed in accordance with state election laws.

With the elimination of the Unified Membership Program governing the sharing of dues and membership data between the National LP and its state affiliates, the "oath" stands as an even more irrelevant and unnecessary obstacle to broadening our political base. Members of the MoLP call upon fellow Libertarians around the country to join us in calling for the elimination of this exclusionary condition of membership in the National LP.

The resolution adopted by the MoLP State Committee is as follows:

Resolved, by the State Committee of the Missouri Libertarian Party, assembled for the 2006 State Convention in Springfield, Missouri, on 4^th March 2006:

1.  It is the sense of the Missouri Libertarian Party that the "oath" required for membership in the National Libertarian Party should be abolished.

2.  This resolution shall be freely distributed and published to our fellow Libertarians, including the state chairs of every affiliated state party, in hopes that our example may encourage others to do likewise.