The Prohibition Party continues forward with its work; with an eye to its coming endeavors. The Prohibition Party will be holding its national Mid-Term Conference this June, on the 13^th-15^th. This conference will foster discussions and plans among the party’s officers, national committee, and members for the party’s efforts for the Mid-Term elections, as well as other important work in the near term.

The Prohibition Party is entering into this with some wind in its sails. In the 2016 election, our presidential candidate, Jim Hedges, received the party’s largest presidential vote results since 1988. The party is gaining some resurgence, as the election period saw the arrival of some new, younger members and a relatively significant number of other people who had expressed interest with the party. The party’s efforts at building up local and state level affiliates had gained some ground in past years, and the party is intent on continuing this progress. The party succeeded in getting our presidential candidate on ballot in three states, and nearly succeeded in four others. With some additional effort and organization building, the party’s 2020 candidate could very likely get on ballot in 7 or more states. Following the end of the election, Jim Hedges optimistically stated, “with your continued assistance, and with the help of the young people who have been attracted to our campaign, we’ll do twice as well in 2020.

When it comes to the 2018 Mid Term elections, the party hopes to run candidates for a variety of local and state positions in various states. At the very least this could help the party to gain visibility and have a voice on issues. Though there is also the hope that we may be able to succeed in getting someone elected to an office. Party Chairman Rick Knox states that there are many offices up for grabs across the country, and hopes to target Mississippi, Tennessee, West Virginia, and any other state where someone is willing to run for the party. In the coming conference, we may get a greater sense about who may be running for the Prohibition Party where and for what positions.

The conference may also address several agenda items for the party. According to the latest issue of the “National Prohibitionist”, these include:

Finding a location for the party’s new national Prohibition Party office. In previous months, a committee was formed to look into the possibility of acquiring a building to establish a new party office. The intended office would serve to aid party operations and act as a place for storing archives and memorabilia. The conference could offer insight on how this work is going.

A new Secretary for the National Committee. Party Treasurer Jim Hedges had continued acting as the de facto secretary for the past two years. Though the party is working to find an official party secretary. Hopefully a member will soon rise to the occasion.

Potentially electing new members to the national committee. The Prohibition Party National Committee consists of delegates from the various states in the country. Each state is allowed two members on the national committee. Though, due to the party’s current membership levels, there a number of unfilled positions. There’s the possibility that several of these positions might get filled.

An Update on the revised edition of Partisan Prophets, by Roger Storms. In 1972, Roger Storms had written the book Partisan Prophets; A History of the Prohibition Party, 1854-1972, as a concise book covering the history of the Prohibition Party up to that time. He also had founded the Partisan Prohibition Historical Society in the 1970’s, as an organization to preserve and teach the history of the Prohibition Party.

The conference may also end up covering various other topics, depending on how it ends up shaping out. Various conference calls will be called among the Executive Committee, National Committee, and general membership to discuss current issues pertaining to the party. Once the conference is held, more information may be gained about these matters.