The party achieved its current ballot status in 1998.
By 2004 the party involvement dwindled, and did not have ballot status in any state.
It attempted to contest the 2003 election as well, but was not able to find the five candidates needed for official ballot status.
The following is a table comparison of ballot status in 2008 to 2004.
It achieved ballot status in 1988 with six candidates, and ran five in 1990.
At this time, automatic "ballot status" required 10,000 votes, which was reached by all parties.
Following the 2012 election, the party will have ballot status in 30 states.
The party had ballot status only once before, 1982.
The American Party has failed to achieve ballot status in any state since 1996.
The Progressives ran only five candidates in 1990, the minimum required for ballot status.