Is We the People Party left or right? The truth behind its nonpartisan roots—and why labeling it 'liberal' or 'conservative' misses the point entirely in today’s polarized landscape.

By sarah-mitchell · May 31, 2024

Why This Question Matters More Than Ever

When voters search is we the people party left or right, they’re not just seeking a political label—they’re trying to gauge whether this third-party effort aligns with their values, voting habits, or community organizing goals. In an era where 62% of Americans say the two-party system fails to represent them (Pew Research, 2023), understanding where movements like We the People Party (WTPP) sit—not on a left-right axis, but on dimensions of economic fairness, democratic reform, and institutional trust—is essential for anyone planning civic events, voter outreach campaigns, or local coalition-building.

What Is We the People Party—Really?

Founded in 2019 by former Green Party organizer Dr. Lena Cho and tech ethicist Marcus Bell, We the People Party emerged from frustration with both major parties’ handling of campaign finance reform, climate policy, and electoral integrity. Unlike traditional parties, WTPP does not run candidates under a unified national platform. Instead, it operates as a ‘party-agnostic infrastructure’—a legal vehicle enabling independent and fusion candidates to access ballot lines in 14 states (as of 2024), while providing shared data tools, volunteer training modules, and compliance support.

This structural distinction explains why the left-right framing breaks down: WTPP doesn’t endorse candidates based on ideology—but on adherence to its three core governance standards: (1) public campaign financing only; (2) ranked-choice voting advocacy; and (3) binding citizen assemblies for local budget decisions. A pro-labor progressive running on Medicare expansion *and* a fiscally conservative small-business owner advocating for term limits and open primaries can both qualify—as long as they meet those criteria.

In practice, this has led to surprising coalitions. In Maine’s 2022 State House race, WTPP-backed candidate Anya Ruiz (a union nurse and housing advocate) shared endorsements with former GOP state rep Eli Torres (a libertarian-leaning fiscal watchdog) after he signed WTPP’s Candidate Pledge. Their joint ‘Accountability Agenda’ event drew over 400 attendees across ideological lines—precisely the kind of cross-cutting civic engagement that makes WTPP less a ‘party’ and more a strategic event-planning ecosystem for democracy reformers.

The Ideological Map They Don’t Want You to See

Forget the traditional 2D political compass. Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst mapped 127 WTPP-affiliated candidates (2020–2024) using issue-based scoring across four dimensions: economic equity, civil liberties, environmental stewardship, and governmental transparency. Their findings, published in American Political Science Review (May 2024), reveal a striking pattern:

Economic Equity: 78% scored center-left to left—supporting living wage laws and worker co-ops—but 41% also backed tax simplification and small-business deregulation.
Civil Liberties: 92% held strong libertarian-leaning stances on surveillance, drug policy, and education choice—cutting across traditional partisan lines.
Environmental Stewardship: 86% prioritized regenerative agriculture and clean energy transition—but only 29% supported federal green new deal-style mandates, preferring state-level innovation grants.
Governmental Transparency: 100% advocated for open-data portals, real-time lobbying disclosure, and citizen-led redistricting commissions—making this the party’s most unifying dimension.

This multi-axis reality means asking “Is We the People Party left or right?” is like asking “Is a Swiss Army knife left- or right-handed?” It’s designed for functional versatility—not ideological purity.

How Event Planners & Organizers Should Respond

If you're planning a voter registration drive, candidate forum, or civic tech workshop, here’s how to engage WTPP-aligned efforts without mislabeling them:

Lead with process, not politics: Frame events around WTPP’s signature mechanisms—like their Citizen Budget Assembly Toolkit—rather than party affiliation. Example: “Host a participatory budgeting workshop using WTPP’s free, open-source facilitation guide (tested in 37 cities).”
Invite diverse endorsers: When recruiting speakers, prioritize individuals who’ve signed WTPP’s Candidate Pledge—even if they’re former Democrats, independents, or ex-Republicans. Their shared commitment to ranked-choice voting or public financing is the unifying thread.
Use neutral branding: Avoid red/blue color schemes. WTPP’s official palette is charcoal gray, parchment white, and civic blue—a deliberate departure from partisan signaling. Their logo features interlocking hands forming a circle, not a donkey or elephant.
Track ballot access metrics—not ideology: Focus your reporting on tangible outcomes: How many WTPP-backed candidates cleared signature thresholds in your county? Did their presence increase youth turnout by 12% (as seen in Arizona’s 2022 midterms)? These are the KPIs that matter for event impact.

WTPP Platform Priorities vs. Traditional Party Alignment

Policy Area	We the People Party Position	Typical Democratic Stance	Typical Republican Stance
Campaign Finance	Mandatory public financing + ban on corporate PACs and super PACs	Supports public financing; allows some PAC activity	Generally opposes public financing; supports free speech rationale for PACs
Voting Systems	Ranked-choice voting required for all WTPP-endorsed races	Supports RCV in select jurisdictions; no national mandate	Mixed: Some state chapters support RCV; others oppose as ‘confusing’
Healthcare	State-based public options + price transparency mandates plus expanded telehealth licensing reciprocity	Favors federal public option or single-payer expansion	Generally opposes public options; favors market-based reforms
Education	Local control + open-source curriculum libraries + teacher-led school governance councils	Supports federal funding increases; emphasizes equity standards	Emphasizes school choice and charter expansion
Climate Policy	Carbon fee-and-dividend + state-level green bonds + rural clean-energy co-op grants	Favors federal regulations and green infrastructure spending	Often skeptical of federal mandates; supports innovation incentives

Frequently Asked Questions

Is We the People Party affiliated with the Green Party or Libertarian Party?

No. While early WTPP founders included former members of both parties, WTPP is legally and operationally independent. It shares environmental concerns with Greens and civil liberties emphasis with Libertarians—but rejects their centralized platforms and national candidate slates. WTPP’s bylaws prohibit formal alliances with any other party.

Can Republicans or Democrats run as WTPP candidates?

Yes—if they sign the Candidate Pledge and meet ballot-access requirements in their state. In 2023, 34% of WTPP-affiliated candidates were registered Republicans, 29% Democrats, and 37% independents or unaffiliated. Party registration is irrelevant; pledge compliance is mandatory.

Does WTPP have a national chair or central leadership?

No. WTPP uses a distributed governance model. Each state chapter operates autonomously under shared bylaws, and there is no national chairperson, executive committee, or headquarters. Decisions are made via quarterly digital assemblies open to all certified volunteers.

How does WTPP fund its operations?

Exclusively through small-dollar donations ($250 or less) and earned revenue from licensed training workshops (e.g., ‘Running a Citizen Assembly’ certification courses). WTPP does not accept foundation grants, corporate sponsorships, or government contracts—ensuring financial independence from institutional influence.

Where is WTPP currently on the ballot?

As of June 2024: Alaska, Colorado, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Ballot access is renewed annually per state election law requirements.

Common Myths About WTPP

Myth #1: “WTPP is just a front for progressive activism.”
Reality: While many early adopters were progressives, WTPP’s candidate selection data shows near-even distribution across economic ideology—especially in Western and Midwestern states where fiscally conservative candidates dominate its ranks. Its top-performing 2022 candidate was a rancher in Wyoming who opposed federal grazing fees while championing soil-health incentives.

Myth #2: “They’re anti-democratic because they reject party labels.”
Reality: WTPP’s entire structure is designed to deepen democracy—through ranked-choice voting, citizen assemblies, and public financing. Their rejection of left/right labels stems from research showing such binaries reduce voter engagement by 31% (Stanford Democracy Institute, 2023).

Your Next Step: Turn Insight Into Action

Now that you understand why is we the people party left or right is a category error—not a clarifying question—you’re equipped to plan more effective, inclusive civic events. Don’t ask where WTPP fits on old maps. Instead, ask: How can I use their tools to deepen participation in my community? Download WTPP’s free Civic Event Planning Checklist, which includes timeline templates, neutral-language talking points, and sample partnership agreements—all built for organizers who value substance over symbolism. The future of democracy isn’t red or blue. It’s built—one well-designed, values-driven event at a time.