Wyoming
Lawmakers file whopping 45 bills to remake Wyoming elections – WyoFile
CHEYENNE—Wyoming lawmakers filed a whopping 45 election-related bills in the 2025 general session — accounting for about 8% of all legislation in both the House and the Senate this year.
Most of the bills are sponsored by Wyoming Freedom Caucus members and allies, who say voters gave them a loud and clear mandate via the very system they now seek to reform.
Speaker of the House Chip Neiman, a Freedom Caucus Republican from Hulett, told WyoFile “we’ve got good elections.”
“But we can do a better job,” he said, adding that the legislation isn’t so much about overhauling the system as it is about improvement.
“Predominantly, these are proactive measures that are trying to make sure that our elections are safe,” Neiman said.
Critics say Wyoming’s elections are already secure given how few cases of election fraud are historically prosecuted. They also point to the state canvassing board that unanimously voted to certify the results of both the 2024 primary and general elections.
One Democrat argued the Freedom Caucus’ motivations are political, potentially putting the group in a better position ahead of next year’s gubernatorial election.
Wyoming lawmakers have passed election reform bills before, but this year’s push is more intense than usual. It comes amid a rightward shift in the Legislature and continued questioning of election integrity by President Donald Trump and his allies.
The bills range from new restrictions on the voter registration process and prohibiting ballot drop boxes, to banning ranked-choice voting and curtailing the use of student IDs and Medicaid and Medicare insurance cards as acceptable forms of voter identification.
Two of the bills were included in the Freedom Caucus’ “Five and Dime” plan and quickly moved through the House. Both address the voter registration process.
Another bill would codify recounts must be done by hand, and came in response to Weston County’s general election snafu now under investigation by the governor.
Two of the most sweeping bills died late last week when Republican lawmakers — including several Freedom Caucus members and endorsees — got cold feet and killed mirror bills to ban electronic election equipment.
“We have a lot of unanswered questions on how to get this implemented that I didn’t have answered,” Rep. Nina Webber, R-Cody, said.
As with all legislation, the slate of bills are facing a gauntlet of deadlines this week as Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday are the respective cutoffs for first, second and third votes in the chamber where they were introduced.
At publishing time, 30 bills remained in play.
Differing views
Lawmakers who aren’t part of the Freedom Caucus have a different perspective on what needs fixing. They point to the long lines voters experienced in the last election and out-of-state political groups spending big to fill local mailboxes with inaccurate information.
“It’s interesting during this session that we’re spending countless hours on the security of our elections. And it’s all about tightening up where you can go and how you can fill out your ballot, or you can’t throw it in a box or whatever,” Sen. Bill Landen, R-Casper, told the Senate Judiciary Committee.
At the time, the panel was discussing Senate Joint Resolution 8, “Political expenditures.”
With the sponsorship of more than half of the Senate, the resolution would ask Congress to propose a constitutional amendment to allow states to establish limits on political contributions.
“This, actually, in my opinion, this kind of activity threatens the security of our elections here in Wyoming, when you really come right down to it,” Landen said, before adding he’s heard about this issue more than any other from his constituents.
Being a resolution, the bill lacks teeth. But it sends a message nevertheless, Landen said.
“If something like this went through two bodies of this Legislature, it might put a little bit of weight behind a suggested interim topic for the Corporations Committee to really take a look at this,” he said.
The resolution passed the Senate 17-13 with one excused on Tuesday, but not before some impassioned pushback from Sen. Darin Smith, a Cheyenne Republican.
“Voting for this is like voting to give up your guns because you were told Utopia would follow,” Smith said.
Afton Republican Sen. Dan Dockstader took a different approach.
“In this last legislative election, there were postcards sent out with information that was not truthful. It’s my understanding [that] was dark money backing that,” Dockstader said. “Why would we support something like that? Why not support proof and transparency?”
Dockstader didn’t otherwise specify the postcards at issue. The issue of erroneous mailers sparked controversy during last year’s election and even resulted in an ongoing defamation lawsuit against a political action committee with ties to the Freedom Caucus.
Dead Democratic bills
The two election-related bills with Democratic lawmakers as their main sponsors died Monday when they were not considered before deadline.
House Bill 178, “Work allowance for voting,” would have doubled the hours employees are entitled to have off work to vote.
“This year was one of the first years that I voted on the day of the election, and I stood in line for over two and a half hours,” Rep. Karlee Provenza, D-Laramie, told the House Corporations, Elections and Political Subdivisions Committee.
“And I watched dozens of people leave the room. Many were talking in line about why they needed to leave, some of which said ‘I need to get back to work,’” Provenza said.
The bill would have also extended the work allowance to Wyoming’s early voting period. After it died, the bill’s main sponsor, Rep. Trey Sherwood, D-Laramie, brought a successful amendment to a runoff election bill to expand the work allowance.
As for why the Freedom Caucus brought so many bills to change the state’s elections, Sherwood told reporters there’s a simple explanation.
“It’s the Freedom Caucus march to the governor’s office,” she said.
One bill in particular would revamp that race in 2026 by creating a runoff election for Wyoming’s top five elected offices.
The speaker’s runoff election bill
Neiman brought House Bill 249, “Runoff elections,” to ensure the state’s next governor, secretary of state, state treasurer, state auditor, superintendent of public instruction and federal office holders only move on to the general election if they earn more than 50% of the vote in the primary.
With the state being a “Republican supermajority,” Neiman told the House Corporations Committee, most races are decided in the primary. But a crowded primary field can result in a victory in which the winner collects less than 50% of the vote, and that’s a problem in Neiman’s view.
“I’ve already heard where there could be potentially eight candidates in this upcoming governor’s race, and that field consistently seems to grow,” he said.
Neiman, in fact, is among the names currently being floated for the race, alongside Secretary of State Chuck Gray, State Treasurer Curt Meier and Sens. Bo Biteman and Cheri Steinmetz.
At 42 pages, the bill makes considerable changes to the state’s elections code. Primarily, that includes moving the primary election for the top five offices and the federal delegation from the third Tuesday in August to the first Tuesday in May. That way, if no one candidate receives more than 50% of the vote, the top two contenders will run again in August.
All other primary election races would be kept to the traditional month of August.
“The Secretary of State’s Office indicates that the cost of conducting a statewide runoff election is unknown,” according to the bill’s fiscal note.
Meanwhile, the bill includes a $2 million appropriation for a “Runoff Election Account” in the secretary of state’s office.
While Neiman said his intention was not to impact legislative races with the bill, Rep. Rob Geringer, R-Cheyenne, pointed out that the measure in fact would bump lawmakers up to May.
With Neiman’s support, Geringer brought a successful amendment to clarify the speaker’s original intent.
The bill passed second reading in the House on Tuesday.
If you’re planning on visiting Wyoming, for a truly authentic experience, you must include at least one of the state’s awesome downtowns in your travel plans. Positioned at the southern end of the 60-mile-long valley known as Jackson Hole, the character-rich town of Jackson is one such place to consider. A wonderful place to explore on foot, Jackson’s unique downtown, with its Old West vibe, spreads out from the intersection of Broadway and Cache Street. While it consists of just a few blocks, it is jam-packed with fun things to do, no matter what time of year you visit. Its impressive elk arch makes for an excellent photo opportunity, while the charm of its Old West heritage exudes from the historic buildings, cowboy-themed bars, and art installations across town. The wild past also comes to life in Jackson during the Jackson Hole Shootout at the Town Square, a tradition that has endured since 1957.
Town Square And The Elk Antler Arches
Though Jackson’s Central Park is officially known as George Washington Memorial Park, locals and visitors alike prefer to call it Town Square. Dedicated in 1934, this centrally located public space occupies the block at Broadway and Cache and is famous for the elk antler archers set at each of its corners.
Made entirely from naturally shed elk antlers, the first arch was erected by local Boy Scouts and Rotary Club members in 1953, with the other three added a few years later. Each consists of around 2,000 antlers collected from the nearby National Elk Refuge and is among the most photographed landmarks in Wyoming.
For a truly memorable experience, try to time a visit to coincide with ELKFEST. Held in May, this community-wide celebration attracts visitors from across the country for events like the Mountain Man Rendezvous, a reenactment of the state’s early fur trading years.
The main event, though, is the highly anticipated Elk Antler Auction. Bidders from far and wide turn up at Town Square to purchase antlers, which are then used to make everything from furniture to jewelry (proceeds going back to the Elk Refuge).
Jackson’s Cowboy Heritage
From Memorial Day through Labor Day, Town Square becomes the backdrop of the famous Jackson Hole Shootout. This fun (and free) mock gunfight has been entertaining visitors since 1957 and includes several costumed outlaws and lawmen shooting it out (with blanks, of course). You can add to the experience by hopping aboard the Jackson Hole Stagecoach, a ride aboard a century-old coach that loops around downtown.
The Old West theme is evident in other spots around the downtown core, too. Steps from Town Square, the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar has been around since 1937 and is set in what was once the town’s first bank in the late 1890s. Highlights include its hand-carved bar top with silver dollars embedded in it, as well as its cool saddle barstools. Live music is regularly scheduled on the stage that has seen such legends as Willie Nelson and Hank Williams Jr. perform.
The Wort Hotel is another downtown landmark you’ll want to include in your Jackson itinerary. A local fixture since 1941, it’s here you’ll find the famous Silver Dollar Bar with its custom-made S-shaped counter inlaid with 2,032 uncirculated (and therefore rare) 1921 silver dollars. You’ll also want to check out its priceless collection of original Western art.
Other Fun Stuff To Do In Downtown Jackson
In addition to its iconic bars, downtown Jackson also boasts a world-class food scene. Highlights include Persephone Bakery, its old-fashioned stone hearth turning out delicious baked goods, including croissants and artisanal bread. Also yummy, Cafe Genevieve occupies an old log cabin and serves breakfast and lunch with a Southern-inspired menu.
Jackson’s art scene is also worth a mention. Art galleries are plentiful in the downtown area, with establishments like Astoria Fine Art and Mountain Trails Galleries, both on Town Square, featuring works by local, national, and international artists. The Center for the Arts is another cultural high point and features performance spaces, visual arts studios, and an outdoor sculpture park.
Snow King Mountain
Another unique feature of Jackson’s downtown is its proximity to some of Wyoming’s best (and certainly most accessible) ski hills. The base of Snow King Mountain is just six blocks from Town Square and has been in use since 1936, and really took off when Wyoming’s first chairlift opened here in 1946.
Dubbed the “Town Hill” by locals, Snow King now consists of 500 skiable acres, 41 named runs, three chairlifts, an eight-passenger gondola, and night skiing. In warmer months, the action shifts to a thrilling Cowboy Coaster, a zipline, a treetop adventure ropes course, and an alpine slide.
The Snow King Observatory and Planetarium is another excuse to head for the hills from downtown Jackson. Located at the summit of Snow King Mountain, in addition to its large telescope, this must-see attraction features a planetarium theater and a rooftop observation deck boasting incredible views over Jackson and the Jackson Hole Valley.
Explore Jackson’s Not-So-Wild Side
Downtown Jackson has so much to offer visitors seeking an authentic slice of Wyoming life. From its unique elk antler arches to its art galleries and cowboy culture, as well as its unique position steps from the ski hills, few towns in the USA’s Mountain Region can match the long list of fun things to do in Jackson’s downtown core.
The expansion would open the spigot for 550,000 barrels per day of crude, the company says. Although the crude would mostly pass through eastern Wyoming, the venture opens opportunities for Wyoming oil producers in the region for more transportation access to U.S. refineries and shipping ports, according to Bridger and local industry officials.“It would be the biggest project in our history, if it comes to fruition,” Bridger Pipeline spokesperson Bill Salvin told WyoFile on Friday. “We are, however, in the really early stages of the project. But we’re very excited about it.”Industry trade groups speculate the Bridger Pipeline Expansion is part of a competitive scramble to fill a gap left by TC Energy’s Keystone XL project. That company, in 2021, abandoned the controversial project in the face of major opposition and protests. It would have transported Canadian tar-sands oil into the U.S. market via a route extending through Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska. Among many challenges for Keystone XL was acquiring new rights-of-way easements. Though the Bridger Pipeline Expansion proposal requires some new rights-of-way, that’s not the case for the 210-mile Wyoming segment, according to Salvin.“All of that distance is within, or parallel to, existing pipeline corridors,” Salvin said.
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The Wyoming segment would pass through Crook, Weston, Niobrara, Goshen and Platte counties.Bridger Pipeline, a subsidiary of Casper-based True Companies, submitted a notice of intent to the Montana Department of Environmental Quality in January and noted it will formally initiate environmental applications to the agency. Salvin told WyoFile he’s uncertain about the full spectrum of regulatory requirements in Wyoming.However, the company regards the Cowboy State as a great fit for the project, he said. “This [project proposal] just highlights how important the region is and how Wyoming is a very good place for energy projects like this.”Reached for comment, the Petroleum Association of Wyoming said the proposed pipeline only stands to benefit Wyoming producers and the state.“Investments like these, along with continued growth in areas like the Powder River Basin, show Wyoming will continue to play an important role in the nation’s energy markets,” PAW Vice President and Director of Communications Ryan McConnaughey told WyoFile. “Connecting in Guernsey allows product to be transported to refining hubs like Cushing, Oklahoma.” WyoFile is an independent nonprofit news organization focused on Wyoming people, places and policy.
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LARAMIE — Nasir Meyer converted a three-point play with 35 seconds remaining to give Wyoming Cowboys men’s basketball the lead for good, and Wyoming held Air Force Falcons men’s basketball scoreless over the final two minutes to secure a 66-62 victory Saturday night.
The win marked the 13th home victory of the season for Wyoming, which improved to 16-13 overall and 7-11 in conference play.
“Air Force deserves all the credit and let’s talk about a team that has every reason not to fight, but thats why they are Air Force and the cadets and I have a lot of respect for them,” Wyoming coach Sundance Wicks said. “They were not going to quit, and I didn’t drive that message home enough and hats off to Air Force because they deserved to win. We snuck away with a win. Adam Harakow showed when we need him and he was massive for us. Simm-Marten was made big plays and Naz was clutch for us late.”
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Wyoming shot 35% from the field and went 7 of 28 from 3-point range, making just two from beyond the arc in the second half. Air Force shot 49% overall and 44% from 3, hitting eight shots from long distance. The Cowboys made 13 of 16 free throws (81%) and scored 22 points off 15 Air Force turnovers while holding a 39-36 edge in rebounding.
Damarion Dennis led Wyoming with 16 points and three assists, going 7 of 8 from the free-throw line. Meyer finished with 14 points and tied a career best with eight rebounds. Adam Harakow added 14 points off the bench on 5-of-6 shooting, his first double-figure scoring game since the first meeting with Air Force. Simm-Marten Saadi had nine points in 13 minutes, and Kiani Saxon grabbed seven rebounds.
Air Force opened with back-to-back 3-pointers to take a 6-0 lead. Meyer scored Wyoming’s first basket, and Leland Walker added a 3-pointer to make it 8-5 with 16 minutes left in the first half.
Wyoming responded with a 9-0 run over nearly four minutes, with Saadi and Harakow each connecting from beyond the arc to give the Cowboys an 11-8 lead with under 14 minutes remaining. Air Force regained a 12-11 advantage as Wyoming went scoreless for more than two minutes.
Harakow’s second 3-pointer pushed the lead to 22-16 with nine minutes left in the half, and Wyoming used a 6-0 run while holding the Falcons without a field goal for more than four minutes to build a 28-18 lead with six minutes remaining. The Cowboys closed the half on a defensive stand, keeping Air Force scoreless for the final two minutes to take a 35-25 lead into the break. Wyoming scored 15 first-half points off turnovers.
The teams traded 3-pointers early in the second half, and Air Force cut the deficit to 40-31 with under 17 minutes left before trimming it to seven 90 seconds later. Walker answered with a 3-pointer to make it 43-33 with 15 minutes to go.
Air Force used a 9-0 run during a stretch in which Wyoming went more than 3 1/2 minutes without a point to pull within one with nine minutes left. The Falcons later tied the game at 51-51 with 5:30 remaining after forcing six straight missed shots.
A pair of free throws by Meyer and a basket from Saadi gave Wyoming a 57-53 lead with under four minutes to play. Air Force answered with three consecutive 3-pointers from Kam Sanders to take a 62-59 lead with two minutes left.
Meyer scored with 90 seconds remaining to cut the deficit to one. On the next trip, he converted an and-one to give Wyoming a 64-62 lead with 35 seconds left. The Cowboys added late free throws to close out the 66-62 win.
Sanders led Air Force with 16 points and nine rebounds, going 4 of 5 from 3-point range. Eli Robinson added 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting.
Wyoming closes its home schedule Tuesday against Nevada Wolf Pack men’s basketball at 8 p.m. as part of a doubleheader with the Cowgirls.
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