The Senate Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions Committee convened on February 7, 2025, to discuss significant legislative proposals regarding voting methods and absentee polling places in Wyoming. The meeting primarily focused on House Bill 245, which advocates for the use of pen and paper ballots as the default voting method across the state.

During the discussions, it was highlighted that 22 out of 23 counties currently utilize pen and paper ballots, with Laramie County being the exception. Laramie County, the largest in Wyoming, accounted for 16% of the votes cast in the 2024 general election and employs an express vote system. This system allows voters to select candidates on a touchscreen and receive a printed ballot; however, concerns were raised regarding the security and transparency of this method. The printed ballots contain barcodes that are used for vote tabulation, which do not directly correspond to the visible list of candidates. This discrepancy raises questions about the accuracy of the voting process, as voters cannot verify that their selections match the barcodes being counted.

The committee members expressed strong support for House Bill 245, emphasizing the need for a secure and transparent voting system. They urged the adoption of the bill's language without amendments that could undermine its intent. The discussion underscored the importance of ensuring that voters can confirm their choices at the time of voting, a feature that the current express vote system lacks.

In addition to the voting method discussions, the committee reviewed amendments to Bill 22-9-125, which proposes changes to absentee voting procedures. The amendments would allow counties to establish alternative absentee polling places in public buildings, such as courthouses, and reduce the operational period for these sites from 28 days to 14 days. However, the regular absentee voting period would remain unchanged at 28 days.

The meeting concluded with a consensus on the necessity of enhancing the security and transparency of the voting process in Wyoming, particularly through the adoption of pen and paper ballots. The committee plans to continue reviewing the proposed amendments and their implications for absentee voting in the state.