Wyoming2026Did Not Pass

HB0037

Nonpartisan Elections for County Officials

Last scannedAug 25, 2026, 2:25 AM

In one sentence

This act changes how certain county officials are elected in nonpartisan elections.

What it does

Makes the positions of county clerk, treasurer, assessor, coroner, sheriff, prosecuting attorney, district attorney, and clerk of the district court nonpartisan.
Changes how vacancies for these offices are filled to be more consistent with nonpartisan rules.
Orders the positions on nonpartisan ballots so that county officials come first, followed by other local and state positions.

Who it affects

County residents who vote for these offices
Candidates running for the listed county offices

Limits and unknowns

The bill did not pass and was not signed into law.
It does not specify how to handle write-in candidates in nonpartisan elections.
Details on filling vacancies after the second year of a four-year term are incomplete.

Plain language

Terms to know

Nonpartisan: Not related to any political party; candidates do not run under a party label.

Official record

Sources

Validated

Official bill page Introduced text Official digest Current bill text Stored full record

Public statements

Why lawmakers voted

Last checked Aug 5, 1:19 AM

John Bear

R · H31

Voted No

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker opposes the bill because party platforms help voters understand a candidate's stance on government responsibilities, which informs their decision-making.

Public statementFloor statement at 20:34 Watch the statement

Ken Chestek

D · H13

Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The speaker believes that forcing partisan positions does not provide useful information to voters and may mislead them if candidates disagree with party platforms.

Public statementFloor statement at 21:15 Watch the statement

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

Wyoming roll calls

Recorded votes

1 roll call

H Failed Introduction 6-55-1-0-02026-02-11 · House6 yes 55 no

Yes: 6
No: 55
Absent: 0
Excused: 1
Conflict: 0

Official activity

Bill history

2026-02-11H Failed Introduction 6-55-1-0-0House
2026-01-14H Received for IntroductionHouse
2026-01-12Bill Number AssignedLSO