Wyoming lawmaker introduces legislation to tackle crossover voting

A newly elected state senator is introducing a bill to address crossover voting in Wyoming’s elections, despite a lack of appetite by the committee that sets the rules for elections across the state.

Sponsored by Senator-elect Bo Biteman, R-Ranchester, the bill — if enacted — would require voters looking to switch their party to fill out an application before a notary or election official, which they would then be required to file with the county clerk.

Like previous versions of the bill, the legislation also sets parameters for when voters can change their party, and would prevent voters from changing their party affiliation during the roughly 10-week period between candidates officially filing for office and the primary election.

The bill would also require changes in party affiliation to be recorded by an election judge. According to a fiscal note attached to the bill by the state treasurer’s office, there will be added administrative duties levied upon county election officials should the bill be enacted. However, it is currently unclear what the cost of the bill would be or whether or not it would require additional staffing. However, previous fiscal notes for similar bills have noted the financial impact would be negligible.

Read more: https://trib.com/news/state-and-regional/wyoming-lawmaker-introduces-legislation-to-tackle-crossover-voting/article_d953a7d0-d01c-533d-a764-f80f91464b42.html