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HB0165

Ban on Ranked Choice Voting

Last scannedAug 25, 2026, 2:25 AM

In one sentence

This law stops ranked choice voting and requires voters to choose only one candidate for each office.

What it does

  • It says that elections in Wyoming cannot use ranked choice voting.
  • It clarifies that ballots must specify only one vote per office.

Who it affects

  • Voters in Wyoming
  • Election officials who run elections

Limits and unknowns

  • The law only applies to elections after July 1, 2025.
  • It does not specify how many candidates can be elected for an office.

Plain language

Terms to know

Ranked choice voting
A method of voting where voters rank candidates by preference, and votes are counted in rounds until a winner is decided.

Official record

Sources

Validated

Official summary

Bill Summary - 25LSO-0478 Bill No.: HB0165 Effective: 7/1/2025 LSO No.: 25LSO-0478 Enrolled Act No.: HEA No. 0071 Chapter No.: 154 Prime Sponsor: Webb Catch Title: Ranked choice voting-prohibition. Has Report: No Subject: Ranked choice voting prohibition. Summary/Major Elements: This bill specifies that nothing in the Election Code shall be deemed to authorize any election in Wyoming to be conducted through ranked choice voting. The bill provides a definition of "ranked choice voting". The bill also clarifies that ballots are required to specify only one (1) vote per office to be filled in the election. 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

Why lawmakers voted

Last checked Aug 5, 2:52 AM

Ken Chestek

D · H13

Voted No

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker opposes the bill because they believe ranked choice voting helps parties select candidates with broad appeal, which increases their chances in general elections. They also argue that enshrining a ban is unnecessary since it can be repealed later if desired.

Public statementFloor statement at 1:40:00 Watch the statement

Mike Yin

D · H16

Voted No

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker opposes the bill because they believe banning ranked choice voting interferes with local control over election methods. They argue that municipalities should have the option to choose different systems if they prefer them.

Public statementFloor statement at 1:44:40 Watch the statement
Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker supports the bill because they believe ranked choice voting adds unnecessary complexity and confuses voters who are already not participating enough. They also argue it allows poorly performing candidates to be elevated.

Public statementFloor statement at 1:45:40 Watch the statement
Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker supports the bill because they believe other states have found ranked choice voting confusing and a mistake, so Wyoming should learn from those errors rather than implementing it.

Public statementFloor statement at 1:46:18 Watch the statement

If a lawmaker is not listed, we couldn't find a published reason.

Wyoming roll calls

Recorded votes

4 roll calls

S 3rd Reading:Passed 28-3-0-0-02025-03-04 · Senate28 yes 3 no
S03 - Revenue:Recommend Do Pass 3-2-0-0-02025-02-26 · Senate3 yes 2 no
H 3rd Reading:Passed 47-13-2-0-02025-02-12 · House47 yes 13 no
H02 - Appropriations:Recommend Do Pass 5-1-1-0-02025-02-03 · House5 yes 1 no

Official activity

Bill history

  1. Assigned Chapter Number 154LSO
  2. Governor Signed HEA No. 0071 Governor
  3. S President Signed HEA No. 0071Senate
  4. H Speaker Signed HEA No. 0071House
  5. Assigned Number HEA No. 0071LSO
  6. S 3rd Reading:Passed 28-3-0-0-0Senate
  7. S 2nd Reading:PassedSenate
  8. S COW:PassedSenate
  9. S Placed on General FileSenate
  10. S03 - Revenue:Recommend Do Pass 3-2-0-0-0Senate
  11. S Introduced and Referred to S03 - RevenueSenate
  12. S Received for IntroductionSenate
  13. H 3rd Reading:Passed 47-13-2-0-0House
  14. H 2nd Reading:PassedHouse
  15. H COW:PassedHouse
  16. H Placed on General FileHouse
  17. H02 - Appropriations:Recommend Do Pass 5-1-1-0-0House
  18. H Introduced and Referred to H02 - AppropriationsHouse
  19. H Received for IntroductionHouse
  20. Bill Number AssignedLSO

Changes

Amendments

2 stored

HB0165H2001

The amendment removes specific lines from the bill that relate to the invalidation of certain subsections regarding ranked choice voting.

HB0165H3001

The amendment proposes to remove a specific line from the bill that relates to ranked choice voting.