Political party formation-amendments.

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Amending Political Party Formation Deadlines

This law changes when new political parties can start collecting signatures and filing their petitions to run in general elections.

What This Bill Does

• Changes the deadline for filing a petition to form a new political party from June 1 to May 1 of the year before a general election.
• Moves up the date when people can begin circulating petitions to form a new political party from April 1 to March 1 of the year before a general election.
• Makes these changes effective starting July 1, 2025.

Who It Names or Affects

• People who want to start new political parties in Wyoming.
• The Secretary of State's office which handles petition filings.

Terms To Know

Petition

A document that collects signatures from voters supporting the formation of a new political party.

General Election

The main election where people vote for candidates to hold public offices.

Limits and Unknowns

• Does not specify what happens if someone misses these new deadlines.
• Only applies to Wyoming and does not affect other states' laws about forming political parties.

Official Summary Text

Bill Summary - 25LSO-0750

Bill No.:

SF0166

Effective:

7/1/2025

LSO No.:

25LSO-0750

Enrolled Act No.:

SEA No. 0074

Chapter No.:

157

Prime Sponsor:

Pearson

Catch Title:

Political party formation-amendments.

Has Report:

No

Subject:

Political party formation.

Summary/Major Elements:

This act amends the deadline for filing a petition to form a new political party from June 1 to May 1 in any general election year in which the party seeks to qualify for the general election ballot.

This act amends the timeline for beginning circulation of a petition to form a political party from no earlier than April 1 to no earlier than March 1 of the year preceding the general election.
The above summary is not an official publication of the Wyoming Legislature and is not an official statement of legislative intent.

While the Legislative Service Office endeavored to provide accurate information in this summary, it should not be relied upon as a comprehensive abstract of the bill.

Current Bill Text

25LSO-0750

ORIGINAL Senate

File No
.
SF0166

ENROLLED ACT NO. 74,

SENATE

SIXTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WYOMING
2025 General Session

AN ACT relating to elections; amending the time for circulating and filing a petition to form a new political party; and providing for an effective date.

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

Section 1
.

W.S. 22
‑
4
‑
402(a) and (e) is amended to read:

22
‑
4
‑
402.

Petition; form; validity.

(a)

Any group of persons desiring to form a new political party within this state shall file a petition with the secretary of state not later than
June 1
May 1
in any general election year in which the party seeks to qualify for the general election ballot.

(e)

The petition shall be circulated no earlier than
April 1
March 1
of the year preceding the general election.

Section 2
.

This act is effective July 1, 2025
.

(END)

Speaker of the House

President of the Senate

Governor

TIME APPROVED: _________

DATE APPROVED: _________

I hereby certify that this act originated in the Senate.

Chief Clerk

1