Timeline for Preparing and Processing Absentee Ballots
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Bill Summary - 22LSO-0102 Bill No.: HB0052 Effective: 7/1/2022 12:00:00 AM LSO No.: 22LSO-0102 Enrolled Act No.: HEA No. 0023 Chapter No.: 39 Prime Sponsor: Joint Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions Interim Committee Catch Title: Timeline to prepare and process absentee ballots. Subject: Timeline to prepare and process absentee ballots. Summary/Major Elements: This act authorizes county clerks to prepare and process absentee ballots on the Thursday or Friday immediately preceding election day if the clerk notifies the secretary of state and provides notice of the date and time to each political party, including information on in-person observation of the process. This act prohibits the results of absentee ballots prepared and processed under the act from being made known to any person and from being incorporated into the final vote count until after the polls close on election day. This act provides a felony penalty for any person disclosing voting results in violation of the act. The above summary is not an official publication of the Wyoming Legislature and is not an official statement of legislative intent. While the Legislative Service Office endeavored to provide accurate information in this summary, it should not be relied upon as a comprehensive abstract of the bill.
Public statements
Last checked Aug 8, 11:30 AM
R · H04
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the amendment because constituents were concerned about election information leaking out ahead of time, and they believe limiting access to within 10 feet prevents people from soliciting or transferring ballot data while maintaining transparency.
R · H01
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the amendment because it does not restrict poll watchers from videoing the process as long as they stay ten feet back, while preventing those handling ballots from transferring information.
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker argues that putting the process in statute is better than relying on emergency orders, citing overwhelming absentee ballot volumes in previous elections and noting that county clerks requested this flexibility with built-in security protections.
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker urges a vote against the bill due to concerns about declining confidence in elections and fears that changing procedures by opening ballots early will increase scrutiny or controversy.
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the bill by highlighting existing security protocols, audits, and felony language as fail-safes, stating it is necessary for county clerks.
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Changes
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The amendment changes certain references and adds new felony penalties for election-related offenses.
The amendment adds a new rule that people preparing or observing the handling of absentee ballots cannot have personal electronic devices within ten feet of where the work is happening, except for medical reasons.
The amendment adds a new rule that people preparing or observing the handling of absentee ballots cannot have personal electronic devices within ten feet of where the work is happening, except for medical reasons.
The amendment removes language that restricts who can prepare and process absentee ballots before an election.
The amendment allows candidates and their representatives to observe the preparation and processing of absentee ballots but prohibits them from seeing any confidential information.
The amendment modifies the language in the bill to clarify and specify additional requirements related to absentee ballot processing.