Free State Project FAQ
About FSP · Visit and Move · Common Questions and Misconceptions
About FSP
What do Free Staters believe? Link
Our common commitment is to individual rights to life, liberty, and property. We seek greater personal and economic freedom through peaceful cooperation, personal responsibility, and voluntary action.
Free Staters bring different philosophies and priorities. The movement gives people a shared direction while leaving them free to choose how they contribute.
Do I have to call myself a libertarian to participate? Link
You do not need a particular political label or party affiliation. What matters is whether you share the commitment to protecting individual rights and building a freer society in New Hampshire.
You can start by meeting people, attending an event, and asking questions.
How many Free Staters live in New Hampshire? Link
More than 6,000 people have moved to New Hampshire as part of the Free State Project. The broader liberty community also includes native Granite Staters and people who discovered the movement after moving here.
The original goal of 20,000 participants referred to people pledging to move—not 20,000 people who had already arrived.
Is the Free State Project a political party? Link
The Free State Project is a nonpartisan educational nonprofit that helps liberty-minded people discover New Hampshire, connect with the community, and make the move.
Individual Free Staters pursue their own political activity, businesses, organizations, and community projects independently. Sharing a commitment to liberty does not mean agreeing on every issue.
What does signing the Statement of Intent mean? Link
Signing expresses your personal commitment to live in New Hampshire and help build a society in which the maximum role of government is protecting individual rights to life, liberty, and property.
The statement welcomes natives, newcomers, and future movers. For future movers, the current sign-up process asks you to intend to relocate within five years.
Read the full statement before signing: Declare Your Intent.
What is the relationship between the Free State Project and the New Hampshire Liberty Alliance? Link
FSP and NHLA are separate organizations with complementary roles in New Hampshire’s liberty community.
The Free State Project helps liberty-minded people discover New Hampshire, make the move, and build connections here. The New Hampshire Liberty Alliance reviews legislation, publishes its Gold Standard voting recommendations, rates legislators, and supports liberty-minded candidates.
Some Free Staters participate in NHLA’s work. Each organization has its own leadership and mission.
What have Free Staters accomplished? Link
Free Staters have built businesses, community spaces, educational initiatives, mutual-aid networks, media projects, and gatherings throughout New Hampshire. One example is The Quill, a community space founded by FSP movers in Manchester in 2010.
Individual Free Staters have also worked alongside native Granite Staters and other allies on public-policy achievements, including New Hampshire’s adoption of constitutional carry in 2017. These successes reflect the efforts of many people and independent organizations.
Explore our History and searchable Liberty Wins database.
Does the Free State Project endorse political candidates? Link
No. The Free State Project organization does not endorse candidates or run their campaigns.
An individual Free Stater’s endorsement is their own. It should not be presented as an endorsement by the Free State Project.
Do I have to run for office or participate in politics? Link
No. Building a freer society takes many forms. You might start a business, organize a gathering, create art, teach a skill, help a neighbor, or volunteer to welcome new movers.
Political activism is one way to contribute. You choose the work that fits your interests and abilities.
Can I support the Free State Project before moving? Link
Yes. You can introduce others to the movement, attend events, build connections, and support FSP financially while preparing for your move.
Becoming a Porcupine Patron is one way to support the organization’s work. You can also follow the Porcupine Post and share useful stories and resources with people considering New Hampshire.
Visit and Move
Why did the Free State Project choose New Hampshire? Link
The strategy is to concentrate people who care about liberty in a place where they can make a meaningful difference together.
New Hampshire offered an independent, “Live Free or Die” political culture, accessible government, and a tradition of local participation. Its compact geography makes it easier to meet regularly, build communities, and work together across the state. Participants selected New Hampshire in 2003.
Do I have to move to participate? Link
If you already live in New Hampshire, you can participate right where you are. Our Statement of Intent welcomes natives, newcomers, and future movers who want to help build a society that protects individual rights to life, liberty, and property.
If you live elsewhere, you can support FSP, visit, and connect with the community while considering a move. Signing the Statement of Intent as a future mover expresses your intention to relocate to New Hampshire within five years.
What is New Hampshire Liberty Forum? Link
Liberty Forum is one of the Free State Project’s major gatherings, alongside the Porcupine Freedom Festival. It brings people together to explore ideas, meet the community, and discover what people are building in New Hampshire.
How can I meet the community before deciding to move? Link
Come for Liberty Forum or PorcFest, attend a local gathering, or plan a scouting trip. A visit can help you explore towns, meet potential neighbors, and picture everyday life here.
Tell us when you’re coming and what you hope to learn so we can help you make connections: Plan Your Visit.
Where in New Hampshire should I live? Link
The right place depends on your work, housing budget, family needs, interests, and preferred pace of life. Free Staters live throughout New Hampshire, in cities, small towns, and rural communities.
Compare regions, shortlist a few towns, and visit before choosing: Explore New Hampshire Regions.
What help is available with jobs, housing, and moving? Link
Our Moving Resources hub gathers information about employment, housing, education, and settling in. Connecting with people who have already moved can also help you find leads and learn from their experience.
When you arrive, a Welcome Wagon can bring local volunteers together to help unload your belongings and welcome you to the community.
Start with Moving Resources and Welcome Wagons.
Common Questions and Misconceptions
Is the Free State Project the same as the Free Town Project in Grafton? Link
The Free State Project is a statewide movement. The Free Town Project was an effort by a smaller group of libertarian activists to concentrate specifically in Grafton.
There was overlap among participants, but the projects were distinct. Contemporary reporting documented that distinction in 2004, along with disagreements between FSP leadership and people promoting the Free Town Project.
Free Staters live in communities throughout New Hampshire. One local initiative does not represent the entire movement.
Did libertarians cause a bear problem in Grafton? Link
The available wildlife evidence does not establish that the Free Town Project caused an increase in Grafton’s bear conflicts. Bear encounters were real, but their occurrence alone does not establish that connection.
In NBC10 Boston’s Episode Eight: The Free Town, New Hampshire Fish and Game bear biologist Andrew Timmins says: “Grafton doesn’t rise to a town where we would consider a high level of complaints.” See 7:06–7:13. At 8:31–8:43, he says there is no evidence of a bear-population spike or sudden increase in conflicts during the period discussed.
After a woman was injured in Grafton on June 16, 2012, Fish and Game described unusually high bear activity statewide, an early spring, and a seasonal shortage of natural food. Its account described a female bear with cubs encountering the woman as she let her dog outside. Associated Press reporting also documented increased complaints elsewhere in New England that summer.
NBC also presents the book author’s argument that some encounters went unreported. Complaint records cannot capture every encounter. Food attractants such as unsecured garbage and birdseed can cause conflicts regardless of political beliefs.
For the distinction between the statewide FSP and the local initiative, see our Free Town Project answer.