HB0141 Party affiliation changes. | Wyoming Bill

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary text was not provided, which limits detailed validation of certain aspects of the candidate explanation.

Changes in Party Affiliation Rules

This act revises provisions related to political party affiliation changes and declarations made by voters.

What This Bill Does

Allows registered electors to request a change in their party affiliation at any time except during the period when changing parties is prohibited as specified in W.S. 22-5-214.

Requires an elector requesting a major party ballot to declare or change their party affiliation before receiving that ballot, following the requirements of W.S. 22-5-214.

Permits voters to declare or change their party affiliation for a general election by completing and filing an application with the county clerk not less than fourteen (14) days before the general election, at the polls on election day, or when requesting an absentee ballot.

Who It Names or Affects

Voters who want to change their political party affiliation.

County clerks responsible for processing changes in voter registration and party affiliations.

Terms To Know

Elector

A person qualified to vote in an election.

Notarial Officer

An official who can witness signatures on documents, such as a notary public.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify the exact period when changing party affiliations is prohibited.

It's unclear how this act will be enforced or what penalties might apply for non-compliance.

Bill History

2023-02-07 House

H:Died in Committee Returned Bill Pursuant to HR 5-4

2023-02-07 House

H No report prior to CoW Cutoff

2023-01-25 House

H Introduced and Referred to H07 - Corporations

2023-01-17 House

H Received for Introduction

2023-01-16 LSO

Bill Number Assigned

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

23LSO-0617
2023
STATE OF WYOMING
23LSO-0617
Numbered
2.0

HOUSE BILL NO. HB0141

Party affiliation changes.

Sponsored by: Representative(s) Western, Crago, Olsen, Stith and Washut and Senator(s) Boner and Nethercott

A BILL

for

AN ACT relating to elections; revising provisions relating to political party affiliation changes and declarations by electors; and providing for an effective date.

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Wyoming:

Section 1
.

W.S. 22
‑
3
‑
115(a)(vi), 22
‑
5
‑
212 and 22
‑
5
‑
214 are amended to read:

22
‑
3
‑
115.

Grounds for cancellation of registration.

(a)

A registered elector's registration shall be cancelled for any one (1) of the following reasons:

(vi)

Upon written request of the elector
at any time except for the period for which party changes are prohibited as specified in W.S. 22
‑
5
‑
214
.

22
‑
5
‑
212.

When declaration of party affiliation required.

An elector requesting a major party ballot
must
shall
declare
his
or change
party affiliation
, or sign an application for change of affiliation

in accordance with W.S. 22
‑
5
‑
214
before
he may receive
receiving
a party ballot. An elector may vote only the nonpartisan ballot and if so, is not required to declare his party affiliation. Requesting a partisan primary election ballot constitutes a declaration of party affiliation. A change in declaration of party affiliation
shall be in accordance with the requirements of W.S. 22
‑
5
‑
214 and
shall be entered on the poll list by the election judge.

22
‑
5
‑
214.

Declaration or change in party affiliation.

(a)

For a primary election, an elector may declare or change party affiliation by completing an application signed before a notarial officer or election official and filing it with the county clerk before the first day on which an application for nomination may be filed under W.S. 22
‑
5
‑
209.

(b)

For a general election, a
n elector may
declare or
change
his
party affiliation by completing an application signed

before a notarial officer or election official, and filing it with the county clerk
after the primary election and
not less than fourteen (14) days before the
primary
general
election or at the polls on the day of the
primary or
general election, or when requesting an absentee ballot
for the general election
.

Section 2
.

This act is effective immediately upon completion of all acts necessary for a bill to become law as provided by Article 4, Section 8 of the Wyoming Constitution.

(END)

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HB0141