<div dir="ltr"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">All:</span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:10pt"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline"><br></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:10pt"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">Apologies for sending this just before the meeting.  I've been waiting on reports from a few states, but am submitting with them missing.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:10pt"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:underline;vertical-align:baseline">Arkansas:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.8;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:6pt"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:underline;vertical-align:baseline">Lawsuit:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:10pt"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">On October 14</span><span style="font-size:9.6px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:super">th</span><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">, the Libertarian Party of Arkansas filed suit in United States District Court seeking injunctive relief to allow for more time to nominate candidates for the 2016 general election.  In a special session in late May, the state legislature adopted new deadlines for candidates to file for an early primary election – the so-called “SEC primary.”  As a “new” political party, established by petition, the Libertarian party is required to choose its candidates by convention but must register those candidates at the same time that the other parties’ candidates are signing up to run in the primary.  With the new deadlines in place, that required the LPAR to hold a special nominating convention in October, over a year before the general election.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.8;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:6pt"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">The party is represented by attorney James Linger, who is confident about the prospects of the case.  “It is hard for me to understand what compelling state interest Arkansas would have in having the nominees of minor parties chosen so far in advance of the general election and significantly earlier than the date for picking the nominees of the major parties.”</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.8;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:6pt"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:underline;vertical-align:baseline">Nominating Convention:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.8;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">Doing its best to comply with the new early deadline, the LPAR held a Special Nominating Convention on October 24th.  Despite the difficulty of finding potential candidates who could commit so far in advance of the election, 25 candidates were nominated, including candidates for all four of Arkansas Congressional districts.  Frank Gilbert, who was the party’s candidate for governor in 2014, will run for U.S. Senate.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.8;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:6pt"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:underline;vertical-align:baseline">Candidate Filing:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.8;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:10pt"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">During the candidate filing period, 24 LPAR candidates successfully filed.  Three nominated candidates did not follow through with the filing process, but two new candidates were approved by the Executive Committee, as authorized by the nominating convention.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:10pt"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">Of the state’s four Congressional races, three will be two-way contests with no Democrats filing.  Both LPAR candidates for State Senate will be in two-way races against Democrats, with no Republicans filing.  Out of ten LPAR candidates for State House, eight will be in two-way races, with only two Libertarians facing both Republican and Democratic opponents.  In total, of the 17 LPAR candidates for state and federal legislature, 13 will give voters a chance to actually cast a vote next November.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:10pt"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">-Michael Pakko, Chair</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:10pt"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:underline;vertical-align:baseline">Alabama:</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:10pt"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">No report.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:10pt"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:underline;vertical-align:baseline">Louisiana:</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:10pt"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">No report.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:10pt"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:underline;vertical-align:baseline">Mississippi:</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:10pt"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">This past election cycle 3 candidates broke the long-standing "Single Digit" curse that has plagued MSLP since Will Chipman ran for Congress.  Joshua Hardy ran for State House against incumbent Manly Barton and took 11% of the votes.  Boyd Kendall ran a surprisingly good race against heavily favorite incumbent "Christian Conservative Coalition" Republican Michael Watson and took 17% of the votes.  And Donald Todd ran for Harrison County Supervisor and took 18% of the votes.  While, sadly, none of them won their race, they put forth a great effort and taught this chairman some lessons on what we need to do next time for the candidates.  Two of this year's candidates have decided to continue the momentum and throw their hat into the ring for US Congress against 2 term Congressman, Steven Palazzo.  According to many, this is Palazzo's last vulnerable year and a win to unset him is necessary.  Therefore, we must get an early start campaigning, especially since qualifying is the first week of January this year.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:10pt"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">-Aaron Barksdale, Chair</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:10pt"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:underline;vertical-align:baseline">Oklahoma:</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:10pt"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">No report.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:10pt"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:underline;vertical-align:baseline">Texas:</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:10pt"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">LP Texas signed an Enterprise contract with NationBuilder and is currently in the process of systems and data migration to the new platform.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:10pt"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">LP Texas signed an agreement with the Norris Convention Center, a newly built highly modern conference facility for our 2016 Convention in San Antonio.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:10pt"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">LP Texas has selected a 2016 convention theme: Liberty Now! (attached)</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:10pt"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">LP Texas has effected a complete organizational restructuring around the idea of an all-volunteer organization and over 60 specific, well-defined, and strategic organizational roles. (attached)</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:10pt"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">LP Texas has filled over 40 volunteer staff and committee positions in the past 8 months, and is now functioning at a level higher than when we had paid staff.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:10pt"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">LP Texas has completed a total marketing overhaul based on a modern, clean, and professional design – mirroring the most successful commercial and non-profit standards. (business cards, as an example, attached)</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:10pt"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">LP Texas has created a highly functioning Political Department with 5 volunteers, and has completed several major projects including:</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:10pt"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">-      </span><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">    </span><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">Orchestrating the defeat of HB464 during the legislative session, a bill targeted at eliminating third parties from the ballot in Texas</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:10pt"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">-      </span><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">    </span><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">Producing super high-quality collateral such as our Platform, 2015 Legislative Review and 2015 Voter Guide (attached)</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:10pt"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">-          Implementing modern technology such as online petitioning and calls to action (<a href="http://action.lptexas.org">action.lptexas.org</a>), as well a system to coordinate text-message activism.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:10pt"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">-      </span><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">    </span><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">Creating broad coalitions, bringing together groups from across the political spectrum around a libertarian agenda.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:10pt"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">-          Working through County Party and non-partisan organizations to engineer local victories such as banning water fluoridation in San Marcos Texas.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:10pt"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">-          Created the “Choice, Change, Challenge” campaign for candidate recruitment, to replace the dated messaging around “paper candidates” etc. (attached)</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:10pt"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">LP Texas is in the process of a total overhaul of our Membership programs around an idea of rewarding members for more than just donating money</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:10pt"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">-      </span><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">    </span><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">“You are LPTexas” campaign to launch the idea of party ownership, and responsibility</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:10pt"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">-          “Time, Talent, Treasure” campaign to create membership rewards for volunteer hours, skilled contributions, and of course also donations.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:10pt"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline"> LP Texas has reinvented itself as a modern, technologically adept, professional, and efficient organization</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:10pt"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">-          “Lean, Mean, and Green” initiative cut over 75% in expenses from the budget, reversing a budget deficit into a surplus, all while increasing service levels and conserving the environment (by switching from a printing and postage driven methodology to electronic).</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:10pt"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">-          Transition from brick and mortar offices to a Virtual Office gave the party a prestigious First Street and Congress Ave. physical address, and high quality impressive office space in one of the most iconic buildings in Austin, with a live receptionist, phone and mail service, and all while saving the party over $400/month in operating costs.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:10pt"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">-          Extensive use of web and video conferencing, screen sharing, cloud collaboration tools, and online events services has allowed the volunteer organization to collaborate more often and more effectively, while saving hundreds of dollars per month in staff and member travel expenses.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:10pt"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">-Kurt Hildebrand, TX</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:10pt"><span style="font-size:14.6667px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">--</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:10pt"><span style="font-size:14.6667px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">========================================================</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:10pt"><span style="font-size:14.6667px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">Kevin Ludlow</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:10pt"><span style="font-size:14.6667px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline">512-773-3968</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.5;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:10pt"><a href="http://www.kevinludlow.com" style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-size:14.6667px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(17,85,204);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:underline;vertical-align:baseline">http://www.kevinludlow.com</span></a></p><br><br></div>