HB0307

Amends Wyoming election law to modify poll watcher certification, qualifications, and authority at polling places.

• Redefines a poll watcher as a person certified by a county political party chairman to observe voter turnout, voter registration, and vote counting, and clarifies that poll watchers are not election officials. (W.S. 22-1-102(a)(xxiv))
• Allows county political party chairmen having a candidate on the ballot to certify volunteer poll watchers prior to election day, with up to one poll watcher per party per polling place, unless the chief judge allows an additional watcher, and up to one per precinct at multi-precinct locations. (W.S. 22-15-109(a))
• Changes poll watcher residency requirement from county to state, and allows poll watchers to be located close enough to hear and see voters checking in with election judges. (W.S. 22-15-109(b))
• Permits poll watchers to observe polling place setup procedures before polls open and shutdown procedures after polls close on election day and during absentee voting periods. (W.S. 22-15-109(b))
• Establishes that poll watcher certifications may be delivered electronically to the county clerk before early voting or election day opens, and may be amended until polls open on election day. (W.S. 22-15-109(d))
• Requires polling places to provide chairs for poll watchers. (W.S. 22-15-109(e))
• Allows county clerks to require poll watchers to wear identification badges but prohibits requiring special or customized badges. (W.S. 22-15-109(f))
• Authorizes the Secretary of State to promulgate rules to ensure poll watchers may carry out their duties. (W.S. 22-15-109(g))
• Applies poll watcher rights to alternate procedures for collecting and counting absentee ballots, designation and notice of polling places, and vote counting procedures after polls close. (W.S. 22-9-125(e), W.S. 22-12-101(c), W.S. 22-14-102)

Effective: July 1, 2025