CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Impassioned residents and county clerks from across the state responded to Secretary of State Chuck Gray’s proposed voter residency regulations at a public hearing in Cheyenne on Friday, Jan. 26.
The meeting lasted for four hours, with both supporters and opponents agreeing that only Wyoming residents should be allowed to vote in state elections. Gray opened the meeting by explaining the proposed changes. New rules would require residents to provide proof of residency beyond just a driver’s license in order to register to vote. Gray also criticized the press for spreading misinformation, specifically regarding confusion over driver’s licenses that list P.O. boxes.
“WYDOT currently requires proof of residence to be established for receiving a Wyoming license…currently WYDOT is not in compliance because their system apparently does not allow them to list both the mailing address and the resident’s address,” the Secretary of State said during the hearing. “That is the cause of the PO Box issues. They have assured me that once they have a new system in place — which will happen sometime in the next two years —they will be in compliance with the statute.”
The Secretary of State said that once WYDOT is in compliance, Wyoming licenses will eventually offer valid proof of residency during voter registration.
Malcolm Ervin representing the County Clerks Association, stated that the timing of the proposed rules are problematic because there is not adequate time to inform the public of the new rules before the primary election.
Teton County Clerk Maureen Murphy also testified early on in the hearing, explaining that the majority of voters in Teton County have only PO Boxes listed on their licenses. She also cited housing insecurity causes many to move residences multiple times, making proof of residency a challenge. Murphy said when she first moved to Jackson Hole, she moved five times in the first three years. Murphy predicted that there will be a large turn-out for those needing to re-register, and proof of residency will result in long lines and confusion during the registration process.
“Without more of an interim to discuss the factors and road blocks to allow eligible voters to register, these rules could lead to inefficient government procedure and an increase of resources needed to retain election judges,” Murphy testified.
Some residents testified in agreement with the proposed rules, but requested more time for implementation, specifically after the next election cycle, due to time needed for voter education. Other Wyoming residents voiced complete support of the proposed voter regulations, stating that if residents really want to vote, they can make the extra effort needed to register. Some offered support of the rules due to fears of immigrants lacking permanent legal status gaining poll access.
Many state clerks, nonpartisan organizations and residents emphasized that the proposed rules could create voter access restrictions, and emphasized the need to protect voters’ access to the polls
An AARP representative commented that seniors living in nursing homes are not listed on the building’s contract. Others explained that certain family members living in rental units or multi-generational housing are not listed on a utility bill, mortgage or lease and could be barred from the polls.
Reps from the Equality State Policy Center (ESPC) and AARP both pointed out that these proposed rules are poorly timed and might be confusing to older voters. ESPC also highlighted that the Joint Interim Corporations, Elections and Political Subdivisions Committee has been working on the issue of durational residency, in cooperation with the Wyoming County Clerks Association. The Committee advanced a bill that will work its way through the upcoming legislative session and requested that the legislative process should be allowed to play out, they argued.
“When fair elections are under threat, it is our mission to respond,” Policy Director for Equality State Policy Center Marissa Carpio said via press release. “We must strike a balance between safeguarding the integrity of our elections and guaranteeing that all eligible citizens have unimpeded access to the ballot box.”
Chief Policy Officer and General Counsel Joe Rubino told Buckrail via email that all public comments will be taken into consideration.
“In accordance with the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act, we will give careful consideration to all comments our office received during the public comment period, and will incorporate them into the administrative record,” Rubino said.
The proposed residency rules will be presented to the Management Council and then will go before Governor Mark Gordon for consideration. Last week’s public meeting can be viewed here.
