NORWICH – The Chenango County Republican Committee has announced the cancellation of the 46th Annual Lobsterfest. The fundraiser was due to take place in July.

The gathering is the largest fundraising effort by the local Republican Party and in past years it has drawn local, county, state and federal officials.

Lobsterfest has also doubled as a fundraising event by the Chenango County Republican Committee for Chenango County Dollars for Scholars.

The committee said in light of the ongoing public health crisis they had decided to cancel the event and encourage all residents to stay safe and follow state guidelines to vote in the upcoming primaries and general elections.

The party has encouraged voters to support Joe Angelino for the 122nd NY District seat, Peter Oberacker for the 51st Senate District seat, and New York State Senator Fed Akshar for the 52nd District.

Lobsterfest was started over 30 years ago by Chenango County native and long-time Assembly minority leader Clarence “Rapp” Rappleyea.

Since Rappleyea first rolled out Lobsterfest in 1975, the social event has been a summertime tradition in Chenango County.

According to the Chenango County Board of Elections, every eligible registered Republican in Chenango County will be mailed an absentee ballot application for the June 23 Primary.

The application needs to be signed and returned to the Chenango County Board of Elections no later than June 16.

If a request has already been made by a Republican voter to receive an Absentee Ballot Application, they will not receive a duplicate with this county-wide mailing.

The Democratic presidential primary originally scheduled to be held April 28 was canceled on April 27 by the Democratic commissioners at the New York State Board of Elections.

For questions about the application, call the Chenango County Board of Elections at either 607-337-1760 or 607-337-1761.