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HB0207 • 2023

Change in party affiliation.

AN ACT relating to elections; revising provisions relating to political party affiliation changes by electors; specifying electors affiliated with a major political party shall change their affiliation to another major political party at least fourteen (14) days prior to a primary election; providing conforming amendments; and providing for an effective date.

Elections
Did Not Pass

The latest official action shows that this bill did not move forward in that session.

Sponsor
Representative Zwonitzer, Dn
Last action
2023-02-06
Official status
inactive
Effective date
3/1/2023

Plain English Breakdown

The bill did not pass and has no legal effect. The effective date mentioned is therefore irrelevant.

Changing Party Affiliation Before Primary Elections

The bill changes the rules for when voters can change their political party affiliation before a primary election.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires voters to change their party affiliation at least 14 days before a primary election if they want to switch from one major party to another.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Voters who want to change their political party affiliation before a primary election.
  • Election officials responsible for managing voter registration and ballots.

Terms To Know

Poll list
A list of registered voters compiled by the clerk for use at polling places on election day.
Primary election
An election held before a general election to choose candidates who will represent each political party in the general election.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill did not pass and therefore has no effect.
  • It only applies to major political parties, not minor or independent parties.
  • The effective date of July 1, 2023, is mentioned but irrelevant since the bill did not pass.

Bill History

  1. 2023-02-06 House

    H COW:H Did not consider for COW

  2. 2023-01-30 House

    H Placed on General File

  3. 2023-01-30 House

    H07 - Corporations:Recommend Do Pass 5-3-1-0-0

  4. 2023-01-25 House

    H Introduced and Referred to H07 - Corporations

  5. 2023-01-24 House

    H Received for Introduction

  6. 2023-01-21 LSO

    Bill Number Assigned

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
23LSO-0188
2023
STATE OF WYOMING
23LSO-0188
Numbered
2.0

HOUSE BILL NO. HB0207

Change in party affiliation.

Sponsored by: Representative(s) Zwonitzer, Dn and Sommers and Senator(s) Barlow

A BILL

for

AN ACT relating to elections; revising provisions relating to political party affiliation changes by electors; specifying electors affiliated with a major political party shall change their affiliation to another major political party at least fourteen (14) days prior to a primary election; providing conforming amendments; and providing for an effective date.

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

Section 1
.

W.S. 22
‑
1
‑
102(a)(xxiii)(F)(IV), 22
‑
5
‑
212 and 22
‑
5
‑
214 are amended to read:

22
‑
1
‑
102.

Definitions.

(a)

The definitions contained in this chapter apply to words and phrases used in this Election Code and govern the construction of those words and phrases unless they are specifically modified by the context in which they appear. As used in this Election Code:

(xxiii)

"Poll list" is the list of registered voters as compiled by the clerk for use by election judges at the polls.

The poll list shall:

(F)

Provide for the notation of:

(IV)

For general elections, e
lectors who change political party affiliation at the polls.

22
‑
5
‑
212.

When declaration of party affiliation required.

An elector requesting a major party ballot must declare his party affiliation, or sign an application for change of affiliation
in accordance with W.S. 22
‑
5
‑
214,
before he may receive 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
conform to W.S. 22
‑
5
‑
214 and shall
be entered on the poll list by the election judge.

22
‑
5
‑
214.

Change in party affiliation.

(a)

Except as otherwise specified in subsection (b) of this section, an elector may change his party affiliation by completing an application signed before a notarial officer or election official, and filing it with the county clerk not less than fourteen (14) days before the primary election or at the polls on the day of the primary or general election, or when requesting an absentee ballot.

(b)

An elector may change his party affiliation
from one (1) major political party to another major political party
by completing an application signed before a notarial officer or election official, and filing it with the county clerk not less than fourteen (14) days before the primary election or at the polls on the day of the
primary or
general election
.
, or when requesting an absentee ballot.

Section 2
.

This act is effective July 1, 2023
.

(END)

1
HB0207