BISMARCK — The Libertarian Party of North Dakota has regained its status as an official political organization in the state, meaning it will have a separate column for its candidates on the statewide primary ballot in June and the general election in November.

Secretary of State Al Jaeger distributed a letter Wednesday, Jan. 8, stating that the party's petition for ballot status had been approved after the party turned in the signatures of at least 7,000 eligible North Dakota voters to Jaeger's office in October.

The party lost its ballot status in 2018 after its only candidate on the statewide primary ballot failed to receive 300 votes. That candidate, Roland Riemers, was running on the Libertarian ticket for Jaeger's position.

The party advocates for smaller government and lower taxes, according to its website.