In a significant legislative move, Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon has allowed a new law mandating proof of U.S. citizenship and residency for voter registration to pass without his endorsement.
Wyoming Public Media reported that the law introduces stringent requirements and is slated to come into force on July 1. The legislation, identified as HB 156, was last on Governor Gordon's desk for this legislative session.
Sponsored by Rep. John Bear and heavily supported by the Wyoming Freedom Caucus, HB 156 seeks to fortify the integrity of elections in Wyoming under their broader Election Integrity Agenda and the Five and Dime plan.
This new statute requires Wyomingites to present valid documentation proving both U.S. citizenship and state residency when registering to vote.
Acceptable forms of proof include a valid Wyoming driver’s license or ID, a valid tribal ID, or a Real ID license or ID from any state.
To align with Wyoming’s constitution, the law also specifies a 30-day residency requirement before an individual can register to vote, though historically, the state constitution required a year.
This reduction in required residency has stirred some controversy, particularly from Governor Gordon who noted the original framers' intent of a one-year residency in the constitution.
Under the new law, county clerks are granted the power to reject voter registrations if there is any indication that an individual does not meet these criteria. This gives clerks a significant amount of discretion, which has raised concerns about the potential for over-enforcement or under-enforcement of these provisions.
Governor Gordon expressed his reservations about the newly passed law, highlighting concerns over the implications of an arbitrary thirty-day residency requirement and the potential vagueness of the enforcement language.
His apprehensions stem from the possibility that this could lead to inconsistent application across different counties.
Governor Gordon has always been a proponent of ensuring that Wyoming's election laws align closely with the original construction of the state constitution.
"I am an enthusiastic supporter of the notion that citizens should be residents of Wyoming for a considerable time before being able to participate in our elections,” he stated. Nevertheless, he pointed out, the 30-day requirement felt arbitrary and less aligned with historical standards.
He also raised practical concerns regarding the types of proof that may or may not be considered adequate under the new law, such as a P.O. box on an ID potentially leading to voter disenfranchisement, including possibly affecting a high-ranking member of the Wyoming Republican Party.
The governor emphasized, "No doubt, it is up to the voter to make sure all their 'papers' are in order before they can vote, but still, I remain concerned that the vagueness of the language in this Act could lead clerks to either err on the side of over-enforcement or under-enforcement.”
Secretary of State Chuck Gray lauded the passage of HB 156 as a critical step to protect Wyoming elections, aligning with federal movements such as the SAVE Act to require proof of citizenship for voter registration.
“It is also key in supporting President Trump’s pivotal work,” he noted, congratulating the legislative team, particularly Rep. John Bear, for their efforts.
Rep. John Bear expressed his gratitude through social media, thanking all who supported the bill’s passage. His message highlighted the collective effort and the dedication to enhancing election security in Wyoming.
This legislative measure takes a significant step towards modifying how voter registration is managed in Wyoming, setting a precedent that may influence other states' approaches to voter registration and citizenship verification.
While it aims to solidify the integrity of electoral processes, it also opens up conversations about the balance between security and accessibility in voting rights.
As the law is set to be implemented, all eyes will be on its enforcement and the broader implications it will have on the electoral participation in Wyoming. With key political figures echoing both support and concerns, the coming elections will be a definitive test of this legislative adjustment.