Republican Party of Virginia (RPV) Chairman Jack Wilson is challenging Governor Ralph Northam to share “the reasoning behind arbitrarily setting the ‘stay at home’ order to expire on June 10, 2020.”

The Commonwealth’s primary election for U.S. Senate (effectively a GOP-only event this year) is scheduled to be held on June 9, 2020, which is also the deadline for nominating all federal candidates.

“In these challenging times, we want to give the Governor the freedom to make necessary decisions without partisan rancor, but the timeline seems all too convenient,” Mr. Wilson said on Tuesday. “We ask that Governor Northam show us the data that led to his decision. It is not our opinion that the Governor is purposefully engaging in voter suppression, but an explanation would help to mitigate any concerns.”

The Northam Administration later clarified through a spokesman that Virginia’s June 9 election will go on, with in-person voting allowed but absentee voting strongly encouraged. Mr. Wilson urged the Governor to announce that himself “more publicly,” so as to avoid voter confusion.

Fairfax GOP Chairman Steve Knotts echoed Mr. Wilson’s call today. “Virginians should know they are still free to vote,” Mr. Knotts said. “Governor Northam — publicly, in his own voice — should make that very clear to his constituents.”

Due to the coronavirus situation, all Virginians are now eligible to vote absentee. According to the Department of Elections, voters may choose reason 2A (“my disability or illness”).

The Fairfax GOP is the Republican Party of Virginia’s largest political unit. Follow us on Twitter: @FairfaxGOP.