The Park County Republican Party is postponing its Saturday convention amid the new coronavirus pandemic.

“Maintaining the integrity of the process and protecting those persons who are more susceptible to infection are paramount. Thus, we are left with few options,” Party Chairman Martin Kimmet wrote to local Republicans on Wednesday, noting the “rapidly evolving circumstances associated with COVID-19.”

In an interview, Kimmet said that — depending on when the current restrictions on gatherings are loosened — the party may still hold a regular, in-person convention to consider its platform and resolutions. He also mentioned the possibility of a virtual meeting — though he has some reservations about how to guarantee the integrity of the process in a remote gathering.

“We are by no means canceling convention,” Kimmet stressed.

In the meantime, county party officials will vote by email this week on delegates to the state party convention, one delegate to the Republican National Convention and to weigh in on electoral college electors.

The Wyoming Democratic Party suspended its in-person county caucus and convention events on March 12. Voting in the party’s caucuses — which feature a race between Democratic presidential contenders Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders — is being conducted entirely by mail.

As things currently stand, the Democratic party still plans to hold its state convention in Park County on June 6.

—By CJ Baker