Ban on Private Money for Elections
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Bill Summary - 25LSO-0618 Bill No.: HB0228 Effective: 7/1/2025 LSO No.: 25LSO-0618 Enrolled Act No.: HEA No. 0065 Chapter No.: 153 Prime Sponsor: Knapp Catch Title: Prohibition on private funds for conducting elections. Has Report: No Subject: Prohibition on private funds for conducting elections. Summary/Major Elements: This bill requires all costs and expenses of elections to be paid with public funds. The bill prohibits county clerks and any other agency or county official responsible for conducting elections from soliciting, accepting or using any donation in the form of money, grants, property or personal services from an individual or nongovernmental entity for the purpose of funding any expenses related to election administration, including voter education, voter outreach and voter registration programs. The bill prohibits individuals and nongovernmental entities from providing or offering any donation in the form of money, grants, property or personal services for the purpose of funding election administration in violation of the bill. The bill provides exemptions for federal funds provided for conducting elections, for the donation of certain meals provided in support of elections and for the use of private real property for purposes of use as a polling place. 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 5, 8:07 AM
R · S30
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the amendment to ensure that private properties, such as homes or garages in rural areas, can continue to be used as polling places when public buildings are unavailable.
R · S28
Why they voted this way
The speaker supports an amendment to ensure that private properties, such as homes and barns in rural areas, can continue to be used as polling places.
R · S12
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the amendment because it protects the ability of rural communities to utilize neighbors' garages as polling places when public schools are under repair or unavailable.
R · S13
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the amendment, describing it as a great addition to the bill.
R · H31
Why they voted this way
The speaker supports the bill because county election officials requested clarifying language to allow federal funds and private property rentals for polling places.
R · H02
Why they voted this way
The speaker supports concurrence because their district currently uses a garage in Renard's to conduct voting.
R · S25
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker moved for the bill to pass, noting it is a recurring measure that previously failed only due to time constraints rather than lack of merit.
R · S16
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker argued that the bill is necessary because private money creates too much room for fraud, citing instances in other states where large contributions influenced election outcomes.
R · H53
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker opposes the amendment because allowing private parties to donate rental space could enable outside money to influence election outcomes, arguing that clerks should rent spaces rather than accept donations.
D · H14
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the amendment to allow community groups and nonprofits to donate facility space for voter outreach conducted by election clerks, ensuring these organizations are not prohibited from offering free booth space.
If a lawmaker is not listed, we couldn't find a published reason.
Wyoming roll calls
5 roll calls
Official activity
Changes
2 stored
The amendment adds an exception to the bill's prohibition on private funds for conducting elections, allowing facilities or booth space provided or donated in support of voter education, outreach, and registration programs.
The amendment allows government officials and election officials to accept federal funds for conducting elections and permits the use of private property as polling places, while still prohibiting other forms of private funding.