Election Shockwave: 50 New Bills Could Change Everything You Know About Voting! Are You Prepared?

CHEYENNE — In a time when voting access and election integrity are hotly debated across the United States, the situation in Wyoming is raising eyebrows. During the recent legislative session, over 40 election bills were filed, yet only a handful made it to the desk of Governor Mark Gordon. This extensive array of proposed legislation has sparked questions about whether there can be such a thing as too many election bills.

Many of these proposals originated from Secretary of State Chuck Gray, Wyoming's chief election officer. Under normal circumstances, an influx of election-related bills might indicate serious concerns within the electoral system—issues such as voter fraud or malfunctioning voting machines. However, Wyoming has maintained a commendable track record of running clean elections.

Gray announced last month that he plans to endorse a new set of election bills during the upcoming budget session in February. These bills will be prioritized, right after the state budget. But the question remains: is it prudent to devote this crucial time in the short session to election bills when the budget and emergency matters are supposed to take precedence?

The Wyoming Legislature originally designed the budget session to focus mainly on financial issues. However, the reality has turned chaotic, with non-emergency proposals, including election bills, consuming valuable time that should be allocated for budget discussions and urgent matters. So far, at least ten election bills have been prepared by the Joint Interim Committee on Corporations, Elections, and Political Subdivisions, with more expected from individual legislators.

These proposed election reforms are set to begin in the House, which is currently controlled by the right-wing Freedom Caucus. One immediate challenge for the Freedom Caucus will be securing enough votes to meet the two-thirds majority needed for these bills to be considered.

Among these proposals, the push for real photo IDs has become particularly controversial, as it may disenfranchise a significant segment of eligible voters. Other elements of Gray's package include a ban on drop boxes and ballot collection, introducing hand counts for audits and recounts, and a prohibition on dual citizenship voting, which mandates that voters declare sole citizenship in the U.S.

The bill that drew particular attention focuses on hand counting ballots—a method that raises logistical concerns. If you've ever dealt cards, you understand the difficulties in keeping an accurate count without error. Now, imagine the complications of manually counting hundreds or thousands of ballots before declaring an election winner. This process could lead to long nights and extended delays, reminiscent of the pre-machine era.

Some critics express concern that this wave of election bills is part of a broader national agenda to restrict voting rights, aiming to revert to a system that favors a narrow demographic. Many view these legislative moves as echoes of a concerted campaign by far-right factions, which has gained momentum since the 2020 election, fueled by unfounded claims of widespread voter fraud. According to the Brennan Center for Justice, nearly 100 restrictive voting laws have been implemented in various states over the last decade, particularly after the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Shelby County v. Holder, which weakened protections against discriminatory voting practices.

“Along with a prior decision narrowly interpreting constitutional protections for voting rights,” the Brennan Center reported, “Shelby County also sent a message to the nation that the federal courts would no longer play their historic role as a robust protector of voting rights.” The fallout has been a deluge of restrictive voting legislation, escalating after the 2020 elections and showing no signs of decline.

As Wyoming prepares for another round of legislative wrangling over election bills, the implications for voters cannot be overstated. With so many proposals on the table, it is critical to assess whether they will enhance election integrity or create unnecessary barriers to participation. As the legislature gears up for its budget session, the hope remains that valuable time will not be consumed by non-emergency proposals that could have lasting consequences on the democratic process.

In conclusion, while election security is undeniably important, Wyoming's historical success in conducting elections raises questions about the necessity and timing of such an influx of bills. As residents prepare for the legislative session, the primary focus should remain on issues that directly impact citizens' lives, like the state budget, rather than an overwhelming wave of election-related legislation.