By DAVE HAMRICK
dhamrick@TheCitizenNews.com

In its first year of existence, the Fayette County Libertarian Party will spend most of its effort spreading the word about Libertarian beliefs and lobbying for more favorable election laws, said William Norris, chairman.

Party officials said it's unlikely they'll offer any candidates in the 2000 elections.

The group received its charter last month, and last week conducted its first meeting. About 25 local residents, ranging in age from early teens to 70s, attended.

Mark Mosely, a state Libertarian Executive Committee member, told the group that third-party candidates face an uphill battle in Georgia.

“The Georgia election code creates a different set of rules depending on your status as a political group,” said Mosely. “Republicans and Democrats get a different set of rules than we do.”

Libertarians currently are lobbying for passage of House Bill 672, the Voter Choice Act, which would reduce the petitioning requirements for third party candidates to get on the ballot.

Local candidates must provide petitions signed by 5 percent of the voters, and statewide candidates have to get 1 percent to sign, in order to get their names on the ballot.

HB 672 was introduced last year but not acted on. It reached the House floor this year, but was tabled, said Mosely. Unless the bill is taken back off the table and voted on this week, it will be dead for another year. A recent motion to take the matter off the table failed 85-80, he said.

“One of our primary functions in the first year will be to lobby,” said local Chairman Norris, who is a student at McIntosh High School.

Keynote speaker Jack Cashin, who has run as senatorial and gubernatorial candidate on the Libertarian ticket, told the group their biggest challenge will be getting people to understand what they're all about.

“For a long time we Libertarians have been thought of as kooks,” he said. “We're considered a fringe group way to the right or left, when really we're right in the middle,” he said.

When he ran for Senate in 1996, Cashin said, he knew his chances of being elected were slim. “My job was to illustrate and personify the fact that Libertarians really are reasonable people,” he said, drawing a chuckle from the audience.

“We are reasonable people,” he said. “We have something to say. We have beliefs that are deeply rooted in the Constitution of the United States.”

During his campaigns, Cashin said, many people liked what he had to say, but declined to vote for him because they feared their votes would be wasted, since he had little chance of winning. “Until we get over that barrier, we don't have a chance,” he said.

He urged the local audience to remain involved and work to change perceptions. “Get in there,” he said. “You can't get a hit until you come up to the plate.”

Vice Chairman Danny Lucsko said he is pleased with the party's first meeting. “This is a great start... I'm really excited,” he told the group.

Members of the local party will participate in the state party convention March 18.

Party leaders hope to establish a monthly Saturday breakfast meeting, said Norris, adding that dues will be $10 a year.

For information on the party, phone Mark Antieau at 770-442-1857 or go to www.lp.org or www.ga.lp.org.