The Libertarian Party affiliates in Gaston and Cleveland County will host an information meeting to introduce candidates and conduct party business at 6:30 p.m. Monday at Guacamole’s Mexican Grill, 1101 Union Road, Gastonia.

The Libertarian Party is the third largest official party in North Carolina. Dave Hoesly, the local affiliate coordinator, believes that this election cycle will bring a renewed interest in the Libertarian Party throughout the state.

“People want more options when they go to the polls,” says Hoesly. “It makes no sense in 2016 that people are forced to choose between candidates from only two parties.”

The meeting will be an opportunity to introduce Charlotte-area residents to some of the Libertarian candidates at the state and local level, and to answer questions about the Libertarian Party’s positions and platform. It will also serve as a business meeting to adopt local affiliate bylaws and elect officers.

The unpopularity of the two major-party candidates has created a sizable increase in Libertarian Party Registration and searches for the Libertarian Party Platform. Hoesly believes that the libertarian focus on personal choice, and its desire to end conflicts abroad, are some of the things that new members find appealing.

“We believe that individuals are the best ones to make decisions in their own lives, not the government,” explains Hoesly. “People are tired of war, they are tired of their money not going as far, and they are tired of others using the government to limit their potential and liberty.”

The meeting will host several candidates to include: Lon Cecil for NC Governor, Jacki Cole for NC Lieutenant Governor, Sean Haugh for US Senate, and Nic Haag for NC Senate District 44.

The Libertarian Party of North Carolina has been in continual existence as a political party since 1976, when Arlan Andrews ran for governor. Since 1976, the LPNC has petitioned successfully for ballot access eight times and has had a presidential and gubernatorial candidate on the ballot in North Carolina in all but the 1988 election.

For more information about the meeting (and to make dinner reservations), contact Dave Hoesly at 704-685-4465, or to learn more about the Libertarian Party of North Carolina visit www.LPNC.org.