The Chautauqua County Libertarian Party held its eighth convention in October at the Lakeview Hotel & Restaurant in Mayville.

Chair/Vice-Chair Bob Peterson called the convention to order. The following officers were elected for 2024-2026: Andrew Kolstee as Chair/Treasurer, Peterson as Vice-Chair, with a vacancy left in the Secretary position.

Kolstee recently completed a two-year term as State Chair of the Libertarian Party of New York until he declined to run for re-election at the State Convention held in Albany on Sept. 21. He is now serving as State Secretary, a position he also held from 2020 to 2022. Former 1st Vice-Chair of the LPNY and current Erie County Libertarian Party Chair Duane Whitmer was elected State Chair of the LPNY.

A tribute and moment of silence was held in memory of Len Morlock, longtime Libertarian Party activist who served as Chair of the Chautauqua County Libertarian Party from 2022 until his unexpected death on Aug. 26 at the age of 52. He was also vice chair of the county party from 2017 to 2022.

The Chautauqua County Libertarian Party recently put out a statement on Morlock’s passing, stating “Len was a pillar of the local liberty community and an unwavering advocate for freedom and libertarian principles. … Len’s loss is deeply felt by the Chautauqua County Libertarian Party, the Libertarian Party of New York, and everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. His passion for liberty and his tireless work for our cause will always be remembered.”

The Chautauqua County Libertarian Party is promoting the National Libertarian Party nominees Chase Oliver for President and Mike ter Maat for Vice President, who can only be voted for as write-in candidates in New York State due to recent changes in ballot access laws that have made it difficult for third parties to obtain ballot access.

Anyone with questions about the party or interest in getting involved, whether it is attending meetings, running for office, participating in a town committee, contact the party. Follow the page on Facebook (facebook.com/chautauquaLP), visit the website (www.chautauqualp.org) or email organizers at info@chautauqualp.org.