Legislative Preview: Full Slate of Election Bills Back For 2026

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Following a 2025 legislative session that saw a multitude of proposed laws aimed at addressing what Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray refers to as “election integrity,” the same topic has kept the Legislature’s Corporations, Elections, and Political Subdivisions Committee busy. The impact of that work will be seen during the 2026 legislative session.

Several bills that did not pass last year were revisited in the committee, which has a heavy influence from the Freedom Caucus among its House committee members. That has made it easier for the secretary to gain committee sponsorship for several bills that will be considered by the full Legislature when it convenes on Feb. 9 in Cheyenne. Among the bills that have received committee sponsorship in the 2025 interim are the following:

Pen and Paper Ballots - This bill would make pen-and-paper ballots the default method for voting in Wyoming, requiring voters to fill in bubbles next to their preferred candidate with a pen. Those with disabilities can still use “electric marking devices” if they choose to.

Some claim that there is no way to be certain whether the electronic voting machine and the barcode code accurately record your vote. Currently, only Laramie County uses machines to mark ballots.

Prohibition on Ballot Boxes - The bill would prohibit counties from offering voting drop boxes. Last year, a compromise was reached that would allow for ballot boxes, provided they were a “secure receptacle in the courthouse.” Think of a bank’s night deposit or something that has a way to drop off a ballot from the outside, but is built into the courthouse itself.

Removal of Medicare and Medicaid Cards as Voter ID - The Secretary of State wants to axe Medicare cards from the list of approved voter IDs. Vote with a photo ID only, he says. Forty-six of the 50 other states currently offer an alternative method when a driver’s license or state ID can’t be produced, such as for individuals residing in nursing homes. The county clerks who administer our elections estimate that around 300 people in the state used their Medicare cards to vote last year.

Hand Counts of Ballots - AARP has no policy on hand counts, although we have heard several debates on the issue. Counting machines, known as tabulators, scan the ballot as it is handed in and save the image of the ballot in addition to counting the votes. A test of hand counting in Gillette last year suggested the need for hundreds of volunteers and up to $1.3 million to implement the hand count method effectively for Campbell County.

Voting Machine Tests - This would standardize testing processes, procedures, and the notice of when the machines will be tested. The clerks are on board for this one.

Independent Candidate Requirements - Raises the threshold of signatures needed to run as an independent in statewide elections, and increases the number of days for an independent to report their candidacy to the Secretary of State.

Poll Watchers - This allows poll watchers to remain at a polling place after the election concludes. It would also mandate they have a chair available. AARP doesn’t have a policy on this, but loves the idea of a comfy chair.

Random Hand Audits - The Secretary of State would instruct county clerks to conduct an audit of 1% of the votes in one county precinct for each county. The Secretary would then compare them to the results of the tabulation machines.

Hand Counts for Recounts - This would enable hand recounts upon request by the candidate.

Ballot Harvesting - Restricts the number of absentee ballots you can hand in to just those from your household. We’d like to see it allow for nursing home resident ballots to be dropped off as well.