The Libertarian Party had candidates for the office at the top of the ballot in 35 states, plus D.C., last month. The 36 candidates appear to have polled approximately 1,475,000 votes. The exact number can’t be known until December 15, when New York releases its official election returns. By comparison, in 2010 the Libertarian Party top-of-the ballot nominees polled 1,015,009. The increase in the Libertarian vote was 44.8%.

The Republican Party vote decreased for the top-of-the-ballot offices from 43,507,666 to 40,851,521, a decrease of 6.1%.

The Democratic vote decreased from 41,043,721 to 36,759,972, a decrease of 10.4%.

The Green Party vote decreased from 508,041 to 405,621, a decrease of 20.2%. The main reason for the Green Party change was that it had a candidate for Governor of California in 2010 who polled 129,231 votes, but in 2014 no such candidacy was permitted.

The 2014 numbers will increase somewhat when New York and Ohio complete their tallies.

The Virginia Republican 24th Senate District Committee has sent a letter to the Virginia Board of Elections, requesting that the Board let the party nominate for State Senate in this district in 2015 by convention, even if the incumbent Republican State Senator in that district wants a primary. See this story.

Virginia election law is unique in the nation, regarding how major parties nominate. All qualified parties are free to choose to nominate by convention or primary. However, if the party has an incumbent running for re-election, the incumbent has the power to oveerride the party’s wishes and determine the method of nomination. The 24th Senate District Republican Committee argues that law is unconstitutional and seems to hint it will sue if the Board disregards its wishes.