HJ0009 • 2023

Runoff elections-constitutional amendment.

A JOINT RESOLUTION to amend the time and process for the legislature to reapportion its members in order to accommodate holding primary elections in May and subsequent runoff elections as necessary.

Elections

Did Not Pass

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

Sponsor: Representative Neiman
Last action: 2023-01-31
Official status: inactive
Effective date: 3/1/2023

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details about the necessity of a special session for reapportionment, only that it may be called if necessary.

Amending Election Timing and Reapportionment Process

This resolution proposes changing the constitution to adjust when the legislature must reapportion its members based on census data, allowing primary elections in May and potential runoff elections.

What This Bill Does

Proposes an amendment to Wyoming's Constitution to change the timing for legislative reapportionment after receiving federal census data.
Allows the legislature to hold primary elections in May instead of earlier dates.
Provides for potential runoff elections following primary elections as necessary.

Who It Names or Affects

The Wyoming Legislature and its members
Voters participating in primary and potentially runoff elections

Terms To Know

Reapportionment: Redrawing legislative district boundaries to reflect population changes from the census.
Primary Elections: Elections held before general elections where party members choose their candidates for office.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill did not pass and was not considered for introduction.
It is unclear how many voters would support this constitutional amendment in a general election.

Bill History

2023-01-31 House
H Did not Consider for Introduction
2023-01-25 House
H Received for Introduction
2023-01-25 LSO
Bill Number Assigned

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

23LSO-0214
2023
STATE OF WYOMING
23LSO-0214
Numbered
2.0

House Joint Resolution NO. HJ0009

Runoff elections-constitutional amendment.

Sponsored by: Representative(s) Neiman, Angelos, Bear, Haroldson, Jennings, Penn, Rodriguez-Williams, Slagle, Smith, Strock, Ward and Winter and Senator(s) Boner and Ide

A JOINT RESOLUTION

for

A JOINT RESOLUTION to amend the time and process for the legislature to reapportion its members in order to accommodate holding primary elections in May and subsequent runoff elections as necessary.

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WYOMING,
two-thirds of all the members of the two houses, voting separately, concurring therein:

Section 1.

The following proposal to amend Wyoming Constitution, Article 3, Section 48 is proposed for submission to the electors of the State of Wyoming at the next general election for approval or rejection to become valid as a part of the Constitution if ratified by a majority of the electors at the election:

Article 3, Section 48.

State census; special session.

At the first budget session
Not later than December 10
of the
year that the
legislature
receives population data
following the federal census, the legislature shall reapportion its membership based upon that census.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this article,
any bill to apportion the legislature may be introduced in a budget session in the same manner as in a general session
the presiding officers of each house shall, if necessary, jointly call a special session of not longer than ten (10) legislative working days for the sole purpose of reapportioning its membership as required under this section
.

Section 2.

That the Secretary of State shall endorse the following statement on the proposed amendment:

The adoption of this amendment would change the date that the legislature is required to reapportion its membership based upon the federal census and would require the legislature to convene a special session if necessary to reapportion its membership. The change in timing under this amendment would allow primary elections to be moved to May to accommodate subsequent runoff elections as necessary.

(END)

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HJ0009