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25LSO-0790
2025
STATE OF WYOMING
25LSO-0790
ENGROSSED
3.0
HOUSE BILL NO. HB0307
Poll watchers-polling station observation.
Sponsored by: Representative(s) Pendergraft, Brown, G, Lucas, Smith, S, Strock, Styvar and Webber
A BILL
for
AN ACT relating to elections; amending the appointment and authority for poll watchers to observe polling locations; making conforming amendments; and providing for an effective date.
Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Wyoming:
Section 1
.
W.S. 22
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1
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102(a)(xxiv), 22
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9
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125 by creating a new subsection (e), 22
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12
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101 by creating a new subsection (c), 22
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14
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102 and 22
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15
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109 are amended to read:
22
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1
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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:
(xxiv)
"Poll watcher" means a person certified by the county chairman of a political party to observe voter turn out
,
and
voter
registration
and vote counting
. A "poll watcher" is not an election official;
22
‑
9
‑
125.
Alternate procedures for collecting and counting absentee ballots.
(e)
The responsibilities of poll watchers specified in W.S. 22
‑
15
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109 shall apply to any alternate procedures implemented under this section.
22
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12
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101.
Designation and notice of polling places; external location; change in location.
(c)
The responsibilities of poll watchers specified in W.S. 22
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15
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109 shall apply to the designation and notice of polling places under this chapter.
22
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14
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102.
Who may be present after all votes are cast and polls close; making pollbooks agree; counting votes.
After all the votes are cast and the polls are officially declared closed, only election judges
and poll watchers
shall be permitted in a polling place. When all ballots are cast, the machine shall be locked against further voting and sealed as prescribed by law. Except as otherwise provided by W.S. 22
‑
14
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114(b), election judges shall commence to count votes and shall continue without adjournment until counting is completed.
The responsibilities of poll watchers specified in W.S. 22
‑
15
‑
109 shall apply to the procedures implemented and used under this chapter.
22
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15
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109.
Poll watchers; certification; qualification; authority; removal.
(a)
The county chairman of each political party
may
having a candidate on the ballot shall
certify
volunteer
poll watchers prior to the day of the election to serve in
each
polling
place
places
.
The county chairmen of each political party that does not have a candidate on the ballot may certify volunteer poll watchers prior to the day of the election to serve in polling places.
Not more than one (1) poll watcher from each political party may serve simultaneously unless the chief judge determines that one (1) additional poll watcher from each political party may be accommodated in the polling place without disrupting the polling process.
At polling places where multiple precincts are served, there may be one (1) poll watcher for each political party for each precinct served. More than one (1) poll watcher may be present at the polling place for the purposes of poll watchers switching shifts.
(b)
A poll watcher shall belong to the political party he represents and shall be a registered elector residing in the county.
A poll watcher shall serve only at the polling
place
places
designated on the certificate
by the county chairman in accordance with subsection (a) of this section
. A poll watcher is authorized to observe
voter turn out and registration and
every aspect of the election. A poll watcher shall have the authority to be located close enough to hear and see the voters as they check in with the election judges. A poll watcher
may make written memoranda but shall not challenge voters,
attempt to discern for whom an elector has voted,
conduct electioneering activities or disrupt the polling process.
A poll watcher shall not be prevented from observing all activities and processes at polling places. Poll watchers shall be allowed to observe polling place setup procedures before the polls open and shut
‑
down procedures after the polls close on election day and during any absentee voting period established under W.S. 22
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9
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125, 22
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12
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101 and 22
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14
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102.
(c)
The chief judge may remove a poll watcher from the polling place for disturbing the polling place, or for any other violation of the Election Code.
A state or county chairman of a political party may designate another certified poll watcher to replace a poll watcher removed under this subsection and shall notify the county clerk of the substitution. No poll watcher shall be denied the ability to watch the polls for failure of a political party to provide a poll watching schedule to the clerk before the election.
(d)
For purposes of this section, certifications of poll watchers under subsection (a) of this section shall be considered delivered to the county clerk if sent electronically by close of business the day before the commencement of early voting and by close of business the day before the opening of the polls on election day. Certifications made before the start of early voting may be amended at any time until the opening of polls on election day. The certification shall identify the training completed by the poll watchers.
(e)
Poll watchers shall be provided chairs at the polling places.
Poll watchers shall not be restricted to a chair.
(f)
The county clerk may require poll watchers to wear identification badges consistent with the size and format of all other poll worker badges, to include the poll watcher's name, party, polling location and the words "poll watcher". The county clerk shall require poll watchers to pick up identification badges at the polling place on the day of the election unless the county clerk allows poll watchers to pick up identification badges before the day of the election at a location other than the polling place.
(g)
The secretary of state shall have the authority to promulgate rules to ensure that poll watchers may carry out their responsibilities under this section.
Section 2
.
This act is effective July 1, 2025
.
(END)
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HB0307