KLS Keeping Law Simple Legislation in plain English

Straight-ahead summaries built from the official bill text. We keep the source links front and center and leave the decision up to you.

Back to Wyoming

HB0219 • 2023

Voter identification-ballot requests.

AN ACT relating to elections; requiring acceptable voter identification from voters when requesting and obtaining absentee ballots; making conforming amendments; repealing conflicting provisions; and providing for an effective date.

Elections
Inactive

Wyoming marks this bill as inactive, which usually means it is no longer moving in the current session.

Sponsor
Representative Knapp
Last action
2023-02-07
Official status
inactive
Effective date
3/1/2023

Plain English Breakdown

The bill did not pass and is marked as inactive, so its provisions will not be implemented.

Voter ID for Absentee Ballots

The bill requires voters to show acceptable identification when requesting and getting absentee ballots.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires voters to provide acceptable identification as defined by Wyoming law when applying for an absentee ballot in person, by mail, or over the phone.
  • Specifies that a legible copy of acceptable ID must be sent via email, mail, fax, or secure electronic means if applying for an absentee ballot not in person.
  • Adds new sections to existing laws about voter identification and absentee ballots.
  • Removes outdated parts of the law related to voter identification requirements.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Voters who request and obtain absentee ballots
  • County clerks responsible for managing absentee ballot requests

Terms To Know

Acceptable Identification
A form of ID that meets the requirements set by Wyoming law.
Absentee Ballot
A vote cast before election day, usually sent to voters who cannot be at their polling place on election day.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill is marked as inactive and did not pass during the current session.
  • It does not specify what types of identification are considered acceptable under W.S. 22-1-102(a)(xxxix)(B).
  • The effective date mentioned in the bill text (July 1, 2023) is no longer relevant since the bill did not pass.

Bill History

  1. 2023-02-07 House

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

  2. 2023-02-07 House

    H No report prior to CoW Cutoff

  3. 2023-01-25 House

    H Introduced and Referred to H07 - Corporations

  4. 2023-01-24 House

    H Received for Introduction

  5. 2023-01-21 LSO

    Bill Number Assigned

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
23LSO-0435
2023
STATE OF WYOMING
23LSO-0435
Numbered
2.0

HOUSE BILL NO. HB0219

Voter identification-ballot requests.

Sponsored by: Representative(s) Knapp, Jennings, Pendergraft and Rodriguez-Williams and Senator(s) Salazar

A BILL

for

AN ACT relating to elections; requiring acceptable voter identification from voters when requesting and obtaining absentee ballots; making conforming amendments; repealing conflicting provisions; and providing for an effective date.

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

Section 1
.

W.S. 22
‑
3
‑
118(a)(intro) and (d), 22
‑
9
‑
104 by creating a new subsection (e) and 22
‑
9
‑
108(a) by creating a new paragraph (vii) are amended to read:

22
‑
3
‑
118.

Proof of identity.

(a)

Unless a voter is challenged pursuant to W.S. 22
‑
15
‑
101 through 22
‑
15
‑
109, no identification shall be required when
:

voting by absentee ballot after having applied for an absentee ballot in person, in writing or by telephone and after having provided acceptable identification as required by W.S. 22
‑
9
‑
104(e).

(d)

Voters who are challenged
pursuant to W.S. 22
‑
15
‑
101 through 22
‑
15
‑
109
and are unable to provide the required proof of identity shall be offered provisional ballots in accordance with W.S. 22
‑
15
‑
105 and permitted until the close of business on the day following the election to present documentation to the county clerk establishing their eligibility to vote.

22
‑
9
‑
104.

How to apply; information required.

(e)

Each qualified elector applying for an absentee ballot in person, in writing or by telephone shall provide acceptable identification as follows:

(i)

If the qualified elector is applying for an absentee ballot in person, the qualified elector shall provide acceptable identification as provided in W.S. 22
‑
1
‑
102(a)(xxxix)(B) to obtain an absentee ballot;

(ii)

If the qualified elector is applying for an absentee ballot in writing or by telephone, the qualified elector shall provide to the county clerk by email, mail, facsimile or other secure electronic means as prescribed by rule of the secretary of state a legible copy or electronic image of acceptable identification as provided in W.S. 22
‑
1
‑
102(a)(xxxix)(B) to obtain an absentee ballot.

22
‑
9
‑
108.

Absentee ballot record; information to be entered.

(a)

For each election, the clerk shall keep an "Absentee Ballot Record" in which he shall enter the following information:

(vii)

The acceptable identification under W.S. 22
‑
1
‑
102(a)(xxxix)(B) that the absentee ballot applicant provided when requesting an absentee ballot, including the type of acceptable identification and the identification number from the acceptable identification.

Section 2.

W.S. 22
‑
3
‑
118(a)(i) and (ii) is repealed.

Section 3
.

This act is effective July 1, 2023
.

(END)

1
HB0219