The future of Wyoming voting

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (Wyoming News Now)—With the presidential election less than nine weeks away, we examine how our voting process is shaping up for the big day.

As we approach the general election in a few months, we look at what Wyoming is doing to ensure that our voting population is properly represented and engaged.

Voting is one of those rights sacred to our democratic republic.

Yet Wyoming’s new voting rules, implemented after the last legislative session, decreased the number of days for early and absentee voting.

It also pulled absentee ballot drop boxes and created a no-party-switching bill.

These changes leave some voters confused and disconnected from the election outcomes.

With that in mind, I contacted the ACLU, which told me they worry that these tactics to secure voting transparency may sow seeds of mistrust in our electoral system and the election itself.

“Elections matter, and the election this November could affect the course of our country and democracy for decades to come, years to come, decades to come,” said Janna Farley, ACLU Wyoming.

Secretary of State Chuck Gray disagrees, saying he feels there is still room for improvement and wants to take it further.

Suggesting proof of residency and citizenship as further measures.

These were the same measures vetoed by Governor Mark Gordon last year for overreach.

”We’re hoping to bring through an even more explicit ban through the legislative session in 2025 that would be, of course, after the general election. But that, I think, is one of the election integrity reforms that we are looking forward to working on,” said Chuck Gray, Secretary of State of Wyoming

Grays says it is important to adhere to the uniformity of the election code, and if the numbers continue to go down, he will reevaluate that.

He also says he’s still proud of the last primaries and looks forward to the Wyoming state, house, and presidential elections.

He also adds that seven counties still have drop-off boxes in them.

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