SF0190

Failed

Election transparency.

Require paper ballots with hand-count recounts, mandate citizenship proof for voter registration, and adjust election timelines accordingly.

Full legal title

AN ACT relating to elections; requiring paper ballots as specified; providing for the automatic tabulation of paper ballots; providing a process for the certain recounts to be conducted by hand counting the votes; requiring proof of United States citizenship to register to vote as specified; revising the time that absentee polling places may be open; revising dates of the primary election and the county and state canvass to allow time for hand counting as specified; creating an account; making conforming amendments; repealing conflicting provisions; providing an appropriation; and providing for an effective date.

Elections

Sponsor:

Co-sponsors: Senator(s) Salazar

View on wyoleg.gov Introduced Text (PDF)Digest (PDF)Engrossed (PDF)Fiscal Note (PDF)

What does this bill do?

Requires paper ballots as the default voting method in Wyoming, establishes a citizenship verification requirement for voter registration, provides for hand-counted recounts in certain close races, adjusts election canvass dates, and modifies absentee polling place hours.

Mandates that each county provide paper ballots as the default voting method for all in-person voting. Counties may offer electronic ballot marking devices only for voters with disabilities, but not as the default method. (W.S. 22-13-119, Sec. 1)
Requires proof of United States citizenship for voter registration, defined to include Wyoming driver's licenses, tribal identification cards, valid state driver's licenses meeting REAL ID standards, U.S. passports, certificates of citizenship or naturalization, military documents, consular reports, or birth certificates. (W.S. 22-1-102(a)(lv), W.S. 22-3-102(a)(i), W.S. 22-3-103(a)(ix), Sec. 2)
Specifies that federal, statewide, and legislative office races with margin of less than two percent (changed from one percent) between top candidates must be recounted by hand count before county canvass. (W.S. 22-16-109(b)(i), Sec. 2)
Allows candidates requesting recounts and electors requesting recounts of ballot propositions to specify whether the recount should be conducted by hand count or electronic equipment. (W.S. 22-16-110(a), W.S. 22-16-111(a)(ii), Sec. 2)
Adjusts deposit amounts required for recount requests, with deposits of up to $1,000 for electronic equipment recounts and up to $5,000 for hand count recounts, and establishes reimbursement procedures for county clerk expenses. (W.S. 22-16-113(a), Sec. 2)
Delays county canvass to no later than the second Friday following election (changed from first Friday) and delays state canvass to no later than the third Wednesday (changed from second Wednesday) to allow time for required hand recounts. (W.S. 22-16-103(c)(i), W.S. 22-16-118, Sec. 2)
Changes absentee polling place operating hours to courthouse business hours during the 14-day period before elections, instead of allowing extended hours. (W.S. 22-9-125(a)(ii), Sec. 2)