Vermont's Liberty Union Party has again joined the ranks of the state's major political parties.
To be recognized as a major party in Vermont, a statewide political candidate must receive at least 5 percent of the votes in a statewide election.
On Tuesday, Liberty Union candidate Mary Alice Herbert won 13 percent in her race against Democratic Secretary of State Jim Condos. The party lost its major party status in 2008.
In 2014 Vermont will have four major parties: Democrat, Republican, Progressive and Liberty Union.
The Burlington Free Press reports major party status raises the profile of candidates, but it also means the party must also hold a primary if it has more than one candidate for offices.
U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders once belonged to the Liberty Union party.
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