CHEYENNE, Wyo. — “Know before you go and be ballot ready.” That’s the advice Laramie County Clerk Debra Lee has for residents intending to vote in this year’s elections. And this year, voters should know about two crucial changes to the voting process.
A new law now prohibits crossover voting, according to a Thursday news release from the County Clerk’s Office. Additionally, the period for absentee-early voting has been reduced from 45 to 28 days.
The party crossover law affects voters who change political parties so they can vote for candidates who do not appear on their primary election ballot. Under the new law, which passed last year, voters currently registered are prohibited from changing their party after May 15 — the day before candidate filing.
Party changes can be made in person at the clerk’s election office, during a registration outreach event sponsored by the county clerk or with a town clerk in Albin, Burns or Pine Bluffs. A Wyoming driver’s license or other government-issued identification is required to make the change. A mail-in voter registration form must be notarized and include a copy of acceptable identification.
The law does not apply to new registrants who sign up May 16 through primary Election Day, Aug. 20, according to Lee.
“Wyoming voters are long accustomed to being able to change parties at will once they see who’s running for office,” Lee said. “However, they are now prevented from switching parties after the May 15 deadline. It’s important voters know about the legal restriction before requesting an absentee ballot or showing up at the polls on Election Day.”
The second major change, reducing early and absentee voting from 45 to 28 days, means voters should request their absentee mail ballots as soon as possible and be prepared for possible mail delays, according to Lee. Absentee ballots for the Aug. 20 primary election will be mailed to those who have requested them beginning July 23. Ballots for the Nov. 5 general election will go out Oct. 8.
The process for requesting an absentee mail ballot is simple Visit, call or message the county clerk’s election office. Voters can call 307-633-4242 or email election@laramiecountywy.gov. The message should contain the subject headline “Absentee [your name].” Provide the name under which you are registered, as well as your date of birth, residential address, mailing address, party affiliation and telephone contact. Absentee mail ballots may be requested for both or just one election.
Absentee and early voting is popular with Laramie County voters, Lee noted. In 2020, 60% cast their ballots in advance of Election Day, and 49% voted early in 2022.
For more information on registration and voting, click here or call 307-633-4242.
