Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
Missoula New Party Records, 1992-2003
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- New Party (Missoula, Mont.)
- Title
- Missoula New Party Records
- Dates
- 1992-2003 (inclusive)19922003
- Quantity
-
6.75 linear feet and 16 electronic files
672 kilobytes of digital materials - Collection Number
- Mss 825
- Summary
- The Missoula New Party was a progressive political organization formed in the spring of 1993 by a group of Missoula, Montana citizens who were motivated to move the political system in a more progressive direction by creating a third party option to the existing two party system. Materials in this collection document the organization’s main functions and activities, including electoral campaigns at the local and state level, as well as a number of issue-based campaigns directing at changing policy. The records in the collection document the relationship between the local chapter and the national New Party organization, local grassroots efforts to engage and grow a third political party movement, and significant issues in progressive politics during the 1990s.
- Repository
-
University of Montana, Mansfield Library, Archives and Special Collections
Archives and Special Collections
Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library
University of Montana
32 Campus Dr. #9936
59812-9936
Missoula, MT
Telephone: 406-243-2053
library.archives@umontana.edu - Access Restrictions
-
Researchers must use collection in accordance with the policies of Archives and Special Collections, the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, and The University of Montana-Missoula.
- Languages
- English.
Historical NoteReturn to Top
The Missoula New Party was a progressive political organization formed in the spring of 1993 by a group of Missoula citizens who were motivated to move the political system in a more progressive direction by creating a third party option to the existing two party system. As a local chapter of the national New Party, whose headquarters were located in New York, NY, the Missoula New Party embraced many of the national organization’s guiding principles including electoral reform through electoral fusion. Electoral fusion is a practice in which a candidate receives nominations from more than one political party and can occupy multiple ballot lines. This practice provides an alternative to the notion that third parties function as election spoilers by taking votes away from major party candidates.
One of the organization’s main activities was promoting and supporting the election campaigns of New Party members to local entities including city councils, school boards, and county boards, as well as other local and state level entities. During the mid-1990s multiple New Party members were successfully elected to city council as a result of the New Party’s grassroots campaigning efforts. Other activities included issue-based campaigns, most significantly a Living Wage campaign, which resulted in the city council passing of a living wage ordinance. Other issue-based campaigns included affordable housing, occupancy standards, and smart growth management.
In 1997, a United States Supreme Court decision rejected the New Party’s argument that electoral fusion was a right protected by the first amendment, effectively allowing state legislatures to legally ban electoral fusion as a practice. This significantly impacted the organization’s underlying principle, and led to the eventual dissolution of local New Party chapters around the country, including the Missoula New Party in 2001.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
The collection consists of administrative, correspondence, financial, legal, publications, press clippings, and planning records generated and/or collected by the Missoula New Party during the organization’s existence. Materials in this collection document the organization’s main functions and activities, including electoral campaigns at the local and state level, as well as a number of issue-based campaigns directing at changing policy. The records in the collection document the relationship between the local chapter and the national New Party organization, local grassroots efforts to engage and grow a third political party movement, and significant issues in progressive politics during the 1990s.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Restrictions on Use
Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. and any other applicable statutes. Copyright transferred to the University of Montana.
Preferred Citation
Name of document or photograph number], Missoula New Party Records, Archives and Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana-Missoula.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Arrangement
The collection is divided into five series:
Series I: Administrative, 1.5 linear feet and 15 electronic files, 1992-2001
Series II: Campaigns, 1.5 linear feet, 1994- 2001
Series III: Elections, 2.25 linear feet and 1 electronic file, 1993-2001
Series IV: Publicity and Publications, 0.5 linear feet, 1994-2001
Series V: National New Party, 1.0 linear feet, 1993-2003
Series VI: Artifacts, 2 items,undated
Custodial History
Materials were in custody of Missoula New Party members until transfer to the Archives.
Acquisition Information
Collection materials were acquired through two donations. The first donation of materials from Jim Fleischmann was acquired in May 2004. A second donation by Judy Smith on behalf of the Missoula New Party was acquired in June 2004.
Processing Note
Collection materials acquired in June 2004 were received in alphabetical order. A series arrangement was imposed on this original order in order to facilitate enhanced researcher access to the primary functions and activities of the organization. A subseries designation has been created based on the original grouping and titling of materials within original hanging file folders. Original folder titles have been maintained, except when new titles were required to better reflect folder contents. Financial documents such as bank statements, invoices, and receipts have been discarded. Additionally, un-annotated published materials and blank forms have been removed. The digital files appear at the end of each series/subseries respectively in the same order as they would have appeared if they were integrated into the box/folder listing.
Related Materials
The Missoula New Party Oral History Project (OH 400) at the Mansfield Library Archives and Special Collections contains audio recordings and transcripts of interviews conducted with four former members of the Missoula New Party.
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Series I: Administrative Activities, 1992-2001Return to Top
This series contains materials related to the administrative activities of the Missoula New Party, including annual reports, outreach efforts, fundraising events, financial records, meeting minutes, training materials, media relations, membership, interns, student chapter documents, and governance documents. The Series has been divided into thirteen subseries based on specific administrative functions and activities.
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Subseries 1: Annual Meetings 0.2 linear feet and 1 electronic file
32 kilobytes of digital material
|
1997-2001 | |
Box/Folder | ||
1/1 | Annual Meeting |
1999 |
1/2 | Annual Meeting |
2000 |
1/3 | Annual Meeting |
2001 |
1/4 | Membership and Fundraising
Reports |
1997 |
electronic_file | ||
Electronic File | Annual Meeting Notes |
1997 |
Subseries 2: Canvass 0.1 linear feet
|
1995-2001 | |
Box/Folder | ||
1/5 | Canvasser Training |
1993-1998 |
1/6 | Canvass |
1995-1996 |
1/7 | Canvass |
1997 |
1/8 | Canvass |
1999 |
1/9 | Canvass Rap |
undated |
1/10 | Canvass |
2001 |
Subseries 3: Coalition and Outreach
Efforts 0.1 linear feet
|
undated | |
Box/Folder | ||
1/11 | High School
Presentations |
undated |
1/12 | Human Rights
Network |
undated |
1/13 | Progressive
Missoula |
undated |
1/14 | Media clippings |
1996-1997 |
1/15 | Questions for Coalition
Partners |
undated |
Subseries 4: Committees - Local 0.1 linear feet and 2 electronic files
64 kilobytes of digital material
|
1994-2001 | |
Box/Folder | ||
1/16 | Agendas |
1994-1997 |
1/17 | Committee Structure |
undated |
1/18 | Minutes |
1994-2001 |
1/19 | Minutes |
1994-1995 |
1/20 | Steering Committee
Notes |
1996-1999 |
1/21 | Database
Subcommittee |
1999 |
electronic_file | ||
Electronic File | Committees List |
1997 |
Electronic File | Steering Committee Meeting Agenda |
1998 |
Subseries 5: Financial Records 0.1 linear feet and 1 electronic file
32 kilobytes of digital material
|
1996-1999 | |
Box/Folder | ||
1/22 | Financial Reports |
1996 |
1/23 | Financial Reports |
1997 |
1/24 | Financial Reports |
1998-1999 |
1/25 | Financial Documents |
1993-1996 |
electronic_file | ||
Electronic File | Montana People's Action Invoice |
1998 |
Subseries 6: Fundraising Events 0.1 linear feet and 3 electronic files
128 kilobytes of digital material
|
1998-2000 | |
Box/Folder | ||
1/26 | Hightower Banquet |
1998 |
1/27 | Hightower Banquet |
2000 |
1/28 | New Party Party |
1999 |
1/29 | Other Fundraising
Ideas |
1999-2000 |
electronic_file | ||
Electronic File | Progressive Missoula Awards Banquet Letter |
1998 |
Electronic File | Progressive Missoula Awards Banquet Invitation |
undated |
Electronic File | Progressive Missoula Awards Banquet Recipients |
1998 |
Subseries 7: Governance 0.2 linear feet and 2 electronic files
128 kilobytes of digital material
|
1993-2000 | |
Box/Folder | ||
1/30 | Action Plan |
1996 |
1/31 | Action Plan |
1997 |
1/32 | Action Plan |
2000 |
1/33 | Bundling |
1995-1997 |
1/34 | Employment
contracts |
1995-1996 |
1/35 | Expansion Bozeman, Butte,
Helena |
1997 |
1/36 | Hoffman, Jim's
dissociation |
1999 |
1/37 | Union Hall Rental
Agreement |
undated |
1/38 | Bylaws |
1996-1997 |
1/39 | Charter |
1997 |
1/40 | Mission Statement |
1993 |
1/41 | Progressive Agenda /
Proposals |
1998 |
1/42 | Principles |
1997 |
1/43 | Commissioner of Political
Practices Reports |
1994-1996 |
electronic_file | ||
Electronic File | Action Plan |
1998 |
Electronic File | Principles |
1998 |
Subseries 8: Interns 0.1 linear feet
|
1996-1999 | |
Box/Folder | ||
1/44 | Interns Description |
1996-1997 |
1/45 | Interns |
1999 |
Subseries 9: Media Relations 0.1 linear feet
|
1996-2001 | |
Box/Folder | ||
1/46 | Committee Media |
1996 |
1/47 | Info about Media |
undated |
1/48 | Press Releases |
1998-2000 |
1/49 | Radio / TV |
1997-2001 |
1/50 | Strategy |
1997 |
1/51 | Strategy |
1999 |
1/52 | Spin Media Training |
undated |
Subseries 10: Membership 0.2 linear feet and 4 electronic files
128 kilobytes of digital material
|
1994-2001 | |
Box/Folder | ||
1/53 | House Visit Form |
undated |
1/54 | Member Lists |
1994-1999 |
1/55 | Phone Polls |
1996 |
2/1 | Forms |
undated |
2/2 | Living Wage Dessert Party Ward
6 |
1999 |
2/3 | Membership Renewals |
1996 |
2/4 | Plan |
1996-1997 |
2/5 | Renewal Letters |
1999-2001 |
2/6 | Renewal Phone Raps |
undated |
2/7 | Reporting Documents |
1996-1997 |
2/8 | Sustainer Info and
Data |
1996 |
2/9 | Women's Leadership
Project |
1999 |
2/10 | Houseparty Project |
1996 |
2/11 | House Parties
Attendees |
1996 |
2/12 | House Party Invites |
1996 |
2/13 | Houseparties |
1997 |
electronic_file | ||
Electronic File | General Membership Meeting Agenda |
1998 |
Electronic File | New Member Phone Rap |
1997 |
Electronic File | Renewal Phone Rap |
1997 |
Electronic File | House Party Invitation |
1998 |
Subseries 11: Organizer 0.1 linear feet and 2 electronic files
128 kilobytes of digital material
|
1992-2000 | |
Box/Folder | ||
2/14 | Advertisements /
Fliers |
undated |
2/15 | Contracts |
1996-2000 |
2/16 | Evaluations |
1996-1999 |
2/17 | Job Description |
1997-2000 |
2/18 | Work Plans
Organizer |
1999-2000 |
2/19 | Action Education |
1998-1999 |
2/20 | Campaign Planning |
1994-1998 |
2/21 | 2 Year Planning
Documents |
1997-1998 |
2/22 | Committee Meetings Running
Meetings |
1998 |
2/23 | Community Action School
Workbook |
undated |
2/24 | Consensus Training / Active
Listening |
1992 |
2/25 | Elections / Campaign
Training |
1999 |
2/26 | House Visits |
1999 |
2/27 | Mid-Level Organizers
Training |
1999 |
2/28 | Overview |
undated |
2/29 | Miscellaneous |
1999-2000 |
electronic_file | ||
Electronic File | Office Administration Instructions |
1998 |
Electronic File | Organizer Resignation |
1998 |
Subseries 12: Student Chapter 0.1 linear feet
|
2001 | |
Box/Folder | ||
2/30 | ASUM |
2000 |
2/31 | Budget Request |
2001 |
2/32 | Fliers |
undated |
2/33 | Governing Documents |
undated |
2/34 | Organizational
Meetings |
2001 |
2/35 | Students
(Interested) |
undated |
Series II: Campaigns, 1994-2001Return to Top
This series contains materials generated in relation to campaigns organized around specific political issues. Materials include research materials, correspondence, meeting minutes, reports, and outreach materials. The series is divided into four subseries.
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Subseries 1: Issue Campaigns 0.5 linear feet
|
1994-2001 | |
Box/Folder | ||
2/36 | Corporate
Responsibility |
1996 |
2/37 | Energy Issues |
2001 |
2/38 | Family Definition
Campaign |
undated |
2/39 | Housing - Accessory Dwelling
Units |
undated |
2/40 | Housing Affordable City Council
Meetings |
1996-1997 |
2/41 | Housing Affordable 2001 Housing
Pains Study |
2001 |
2/42 | Human Rights |
1998-1999 |
2/43 | Local Government Review Study
Commission |
1994 |
2/44 | School Closure |
1994-2000 |
2/45 | Smart Growth |
1999-2000 |
2/46 | Sustainable Cities
Project |
1994-1996 |
2/47 | Complaint to Political
Practices |
1997 |
2/48 | Propaganda |
1998 |
2/49 | Response to CFCG |
1997 |
Subseries 2: Living Wage 0.5 linear feet
|
1995-2001 | |
Box/Folder | ||
2/50 | Bibliography |
1999 |
2/51 | Business Support |
1999 |
2/52 | Canvass Living Wage Ward
1 |
1999 |
2/53 | Canvass Ward 3 |
1999 |
2/54 | Canvass Living Wage Ward
6 |
1999 |
2/55 | City Council
Reports |
1996 |
2/56 | City Council
Testifiers |
undated |
2/57 | Coalition Agenda |
1999-2001 |
2/58 | Coalition Partners |
2000 |
2/59 | Correspondence |
1999 |
2/60 | Factsheets / Fliers |
2000-2001 |
2/61 | Federal Living Wage
Legislation |
2000 |
2/62 | Initiative Language |
1999 |
2/63 | Initiative Timeline and
Goals |
1999-2000 |
2/64 | Job Gap Study |
1999 |
2/65 | Letter (LTE, City council
people, etc.) |
1999-2001 |
2/66 | News Articles
Missoula |
1999 |
2/67 | News Articles
National |
1996-1999 |
2/68 | Ordinance - Final |
undated |
2/69 | Ordinance Proposals |
1999 |
2/70 | Other cities
Campaigns |
1995-2000 |
2/71 | Other cities
Successes |
1996-2000 |
2/72 | Other cities
Studies |
1996 |
2/73 | Petition Signers who
voted |
2001 |
2/74 | Press Advisories |
1998-1999 |
2/75 | Responses to Living Wage
Concerns |
1999 |
2/76 | Raps |
undated |
2/77 | Steering Committee |
2000 |
Subseries 3: Campaign Finance
Reform 0.25 linear feet
|
1996-2001 | |
Box/Folder | ||
3/1 | Montana Campaign Finance Reform
Int. / Voting History |
1997 |
3/2 | Lawyers |
undated |
3/3 | Coalition Individuals and
Groups |
1998 |
3/4 | Needed Changes |
1998 |
3/5 | General Studies and
Articles |
1998 |
3/6 | Other State and Local Campaign
Finance Reform Work |
1997 |
3/7 | Federal Campaign Finance
Reform |
undated |
3/8 | National New Party
Communications |
1998 |
3/9 | Missoula Campaign Finance
Reform Campaign History |
1997 |
3/10 | Montana Law |
1986-1998 |
3/11 | Campaign Finance
Reform |
1997-1999 |
Subseries 4: Fusion 0.25 linear feet
|
1996-2001 | |
Box/Folder | ||
3/12 | Fusion |
1996-2001 |
3/13 | Ballot Initiative
1998 |
1998 |
3/14 | Fliers |
undated |
3/15 | Supreme Court
Decision |
1996 |
Series III: Elections, 1993-2001Return to Top
This series contains materials related to local and statewide elections, including city council, school board, and state representative elections. Materials include campaign literature, press clippings, and Missoula New Party Elections Committee documents.
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Box/Folder | ||
3/16 | Campaign Brochures |
1993-1999 |
3/17 | Candidate Search |
1998-2001 |
3/18 | Demarinis, Naomi |
1999 |
3/19 | Handler, Allison Ward
2 |
2001 |
3/20 | Harmon, Dave Ward 1 |
1997 |
3/21 | Herbig, Lois Ward 1 |
1999 |
3/22 | McGrath, Jim Ward 2 |
1999 |
3/23 | Press Clippings
Elections |
1993-2000 |
3/24 | Sweet, Craig Ward 6 |
1997 |
3/25 | Torma, John Ward 3 |
1999 |
3/26 | Tracy, Linda Ward 2 |
1997 |
3/27 | Missoula Neighborhood Council
Map |
2001 |
3/28 | Accountability
Partnership |
2001 |
3/29 | Erickson, Ron State
Rep. |
2000 |
3/30 | Gutsche, Gail State
Rep. |
2000 |
3/31 | Results Elections |
1999-2000 |
3/32 | School Board |
2001 |
3/33 | Elections Committee |
1998 |
3/34 | Elections Committee |
1999-2000 |
3/35 | Timelines |
1998 |
3/36 | Candidate Screening |
1995-1997 |
3/37 | Candidates |
1996-2000 |
Box | ||
OS 6 | Campaign Yard Signs and Ward
Map |
2001 and undated |
OS 7 | Missoula Precinct Map
2001 |
2001 |
electronic_file | ||
Electronic File | List of Potential Candidates |
1998 |
Series IV: Publicity & Publications, 1994-2001Return to Top
This series contain publicity and published articles about the Missoula New Party and newsletters published by the Missoula New Party chapter. The Series has been divided into two Subseries.
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Subseries 1: Press Clippings 0.1 linear feet
|
1996-1997 | |
Box/Folder | ||
4/1 | Clippings |
1996 |
4/2 | Clippings |
1997 |
5/1 | New Party News
Clippings |
undated |
Subseries 2: Newsletters - Local 0.4 linear feet
|
1994-2001 | |
Box/Folder | ||
4/3 | Local newsletters |
1994 |
4/4 | Local newsletters |
1995 |
4/5 | Local newsletters |
1996 |
4/6 | Local newsletters |
1997 |
4/7 | Local newsletters |
1998 |
4/8 | Local newsletters |
1999 |
4/9 | Local newsletters |
2000 |
4/10 | Local newsletters |
2001 |
4/11 | Flyers and Posters |
undated |
4/53 | New Party - 3.5 inch Floppy
Disk |
undated |
5/2 | Miscellaneous |
undated |
Series V: National New Party, 1993-2003Return to Top
This series contains materials documenting the relationship between the Missoula New Party chapter and the National New Party organization, including correspondence, annual meetings, national newsletters, and other state chapters.
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Box/Folder | ||
4/12 | Constitution |
1992-1998 |
4/13 | Correspondence |
1996-1999 |
4/14 | Governance |
undated |
4/15 | News Articles 3rd
Party |
1996-1998 |
4/16 | News Articles |
1993-1995 |
4/17 | Other chapters |
1996-1999 |
4/18 | Policies |
1996 |
4/19 | Principles |
undated |
4/20 | Proposals / New
Directions |
undated |
4/21 | Subsidy for
Organizing |
1996 |
4/22 | Memorandum |
1993-1995 |
4/23 | Annual Meetings |
1997-1999 |
4/24 | National Leadership Meeting -
1997 |
1997 |
4/25 | New Party National Executive
Committee March 20-21, 1999 |
1999 |
4/26 | Recent / Current |
2000 |
4/27 | National Executive
Council |
2000 |
4/28 | New Majority Education
Fund |
2000-2001 |
4/29 | Subsidies |
2001 |
4/30 | Working Families
Party |
2000 |
4/31 | Portland New Party |
2000-2001 |
4/32 | Little Rock New Party |
1999 |
4/33 | Missoula New Party |
1999-2001 |
4/34 | Proportional
Representation |
1996 |
4/35 | Working Families
Party |
2000 |
4/36 | Correspondence - Election
Law |
1997-2001 |
4/37 | New Majority Education Fund -
General |
2000-2001 |
4/38 | New Majority Education Fund -
Foundation |
2000-2001 |
4/39 | New Majority Education Fund -
Labor, Outreach |
2001 |
4/40 | New Majority Education Fund -
Veatch |
2000-2001 |
4/41 | New Majority Education Fund -
Finances |
2001-2003 |
Subseries 1: Newsletters -
National 0.1 linear feet
|
1995-2000 | |
Box/Folder | ||
4/42 | Summer |
1999 |
4/43 | Winter |
1998 |
4/44 | Spring |
1998 |
4/45 | Winter |
1997 |
4/46 | Fall |
1997 |
4/47 | Spring |
1997 |
4/48 | Winter |
1996 |
4/49 | Fall |
1996 |
4/50 | Spring |
1996 |
4/51 | Winter |
1995 |
4/52 | Summer |
1995 |
Series VI: Artifacts, undatedReturn to Top
This series contains two New Party button artifacts
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Box/Folder | ||
5/3 | New Party buttons |
undated |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Elections--Montana--Missoula
- Living wage movement--Montana--Missoula
- Political participation--Montana--Missoula
- Political parties--Montana--Missoula
Geographical Names
- Missoula (Mont.)--Politics and government--20th century