Latest Updates on Wuhan Woes for NCGOP Election Year Operations

RALEIGH – Everything, it seems, is canceled. Such is life under the dramatic threat of the Wuhan Coronavirus. What at first seemed to only affect a few things, quickly escalated to closures and major adjustments for nearly everything. Because crowd restrictions have now ratcheted down to no more than 10 people in some cases, that now includes the operations of the N.C. Republican Party itself.

In an email NCGOP Chairman Michael Whatley said this means postponement or cancellation of hundreds of County Executive Meetings, Auxiliary Club Meetings, and other events across the State.

According to Chairman Whatley:

“These federal, state and local regulations will also have a tremendous impact on our County Conventions and District Conventions. 

Over the course of this week, I have been in constant communications with the NCGOP Central Committee, County and District Party Chairs, the Republican National Committee, RNC Convention Chair Toni Anne Dashiell and her staff, and our Republican Candidates about the proper response to the rapidly changing conditions regarding the spread of COVID-19. In order to ensure that we will be able to elect and seat Delegates and Alternates to the RNC Convention, as well as elect Presidential Electors and Alternates for the Electoral College, the NCGOP will be taking the following steps with regard to our Conventions:

• • All of our remaining County Conventions will be conducted virtually via teleconferences. We have been in contact with all of our County Chairs and walked them through the process for conducting their Conventions and electing delegates to the District Conventions and the State Convention. 
  • All of our District Conventions will be conducted virtually utilizing a combination of teleconference and online platforms. We are working with our District Chairs, the NCGOP Central Committee, and the RNC to develop model rules to govern these conventions. All delegates to these conventions who wish to be considered as an RNC Delegate, RNC Alternate, Presidential Elector, or Alternate Presidential Elector will need to fill out applications which are available on the NCGOP.org website and submit them to the District Parties.
  • At this time, we plan on holding our State Convention May 14-17 in Greenville as currently scheduled. We are closely monitoring conditions regarding the COVID-19 outbreak, as well as changes to federal, state, and local regulations, in order to determine whether we will need to make any changes to either the schedule or venue. We will keep everyone posted as we move forward.
  • At this time, the RNC is firmly committed to moving forward with the RNC Convention which is scheduled to be held August 24th-27th in Charlotte. However, the RNC is closely monitoring conditions regarding the COVID-19 outbreak and is working closely with federal, state, and local governments in order to determine whether they will need to make any changes to the schedule. As members of the RNC’s Committee on Arrangements, Dr. Ada Fisher, Rep. Mark Brody, and myself are working closely with the RNC Convention staff and will keep everyone informed if there are any changes.

Of course, as the reaction to the spread of Wuhan Virus escalates, with one cancellation begetting another cancellation, these events could be subject to the same forces. Whatley encouraged Republicans to not hesitate in reaching out to their county or district chairs for updated information on local and state plans.

You can also get updates at NC.GOP.