Return Elections to the Voter Secure and transparent elections are essential for pursuing government accountability and increasing voter participation. The electorate must trust the elections process and have confidence that their vote is counted toward their intended recipient. Wyoming must return elections to the voter.
The Presidential election of 2020 highlighted many vulnerabilities in our elections and caused many across our nation to distrust the process and excuse themselves from further participation. Even across Wyoming, we have witnessed improper use and implementation of the standing ESS voting system, processes, and procedures.
– Voters must be properly credentialed and bear proof of United States citizenship and Wyoming residency.
– Uniformity of elections. The Secretary of State must inspect all counties election records and machines to insure election laws and procedures are followed and enforced. (In the 2024 election process all 23 Wyoming counties failed the Accuracy tests).
– All votes should be cast on paper ballots and all paper ballots should be hand tabulated.
– WS 22-14-114 must be amended to read: (a) For ballots designed to be counted by machine Each individual vote shall be determined by the voting equipment hand counting the votes on each paper ballot. and shall not be determined subjectively by human tabulation. except When the intent of the voter is unmistakable but the ballot was received in such damaged, soiled, or other condition that it is rejected by the machine hand tabulation will be used to count the vote.
The exception being HAVA for those who are handicapped and/or physically impaired. At a minimum, hand tabulation audits should be allowed for recount, system failure, contested elections, etc. and to compare the original cast paper ballot with the ESS computer image.
– State judicial nominees should be confirmed by the Wyoming Senate instead of gubernatorial appointment thereby giving the people greater input on judgeships.
– Runoff Elections HB0249 should be passed immediately for the 2026 Election cycle. The top two candidates that do not achieve 50% votes in Primary will advance to a runoff election. This will end the gaslighting and rhetoric about splitting the vote. It will let the people decide their candidate instead of backroom deals as to who should drop out.
The responsibility for gaining the people’s trust lies with the government from the county clerks to the Governor’s office. Ensuring secure and transparent elections is essential for maintaining the strength and resilience of our Representative Republic and leading the nation in voter participation.