Virtual statewide gathering voluntarily mixes business with caution

RALEIGH, April 10, 2020―The Libertarian Party of North Carolina (LPNC) replaced its planned 2020 state convention in Greensboro with a virtual convention that took place on April 4. The party made the move, intended to avoid personal contact during the COVID-19 pandemic, on its own initiative before any state or local government shutdown mandates had been announced.

More than 90 delegates from across the state connected online to handle required party business, conduct a straw poll for the party’s presidential nomination, and hear from candidates for elected office and party leadership positions.

“It was disappointing to cancel our annual get-together, because in addition to political business we all enjoy reconnecting each spring,” said LPNC Chair Susan Hogarth. “But it was heartening to see that we were able to pivot to a more responsible plan given the current crisis, and to serve as an example that people and organizations can do the right thing without being ordered to.”

The party’s original plan was to hold its annual convention in Greensboro from April 3 through 5, and plans for the event included an in-person debate for which a slate of Libertarian U.S. presidential candidates had confirmed their participation.

With the debate cancelled along with the rest of the physical convention, the LPNC delegates instead conducted an online straw poll of presidential nominees during the April 4 virtual event. Jacob Hornberger of Virginia was the top vote-getter in the poll, just as he was in the March 3 North Carolina Libertarian Primary.

Neither the primary nor the convention straw poll are binding, because the national Libertarian Party makes its presidential and vice-presidential nominations in person during its annual convention. The 2020 LP convention is scheduled for May 21 through 25 in Austin, Texas, though the party is evaluating alternative options for that event to keep it from posing a COVID-19 risk for participants and vendors.

The LPNC is giving North Carolina voters a choice in federal, state, and local election campaigns across the state. To learn more, visit www.lpnc.org. For more information, or for help in contacting an LPNC candidate for a specific office, please email [email protected].