Ever since the 1910’s decade, qualified political parties in California have chosen county party officers in their own primaries. However, in 2003, the legislature amended the law to provide that parties may abolish these elections if they wish. The Libertarian Party has become the first party to do so. The 2003 law change did not take effect until after the 2004 primary, so this year is the first year any party could make this choice. Fewer than half the states let parties choose their officers in a publicly-funded primary.