Committee approves measure clarifying false-voting statute, empowers Secretary of State to request investigations

The Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions Committee voted to advance House Bill 154, which, as drafted, clarifies that Wyoming’s false-voting statute includes voting more than once across jurisdictions in the same federal election and adds authority for the Secretary of State to request investigations by county sheriffs.

Representative Brady presented HB 154 as an amendment to W.S. 22-26-106 to make explicit that "voting or offering to vote more than once in an election" includes "voting in any other state and then voting or offering to vote in Wyoming for the same federal election." The bill also amends subsection e to provide that a county sheriff shall investigate acts of false voting at the request of the Secretary of State or at the request of a county clerk who has reasonable cause.

Joe Rubino, policy director and counsel for the Secretary of State’s Office, testified the change removes ambiguity in current law and helps the state respond when other jurisdictions notify Wyoming of suspected double voting across state lines. "What this change does is it makes clear that double voting within the state as well as across state lines in the same election is a crime in Wyoming," Rubino said, and he described subsection e as "especially valuable given our contacts across state lines with our counterparts and other secretary of state offices."

Gail Simmons of Civics 307 said she was neither for nor against the bill and called parts of it unnecessary because, she said, the definition of "election" in Title 22 could already be read to cover multiple jurisdictions. Simmons expressed a separate concern about inserting the Secretary of State into the list of county responsibilities; she said it may be more appropriate for the Secretary of State to notify county clerks, which would then initiate sheriff investigations.

Committee discussion noted border counties and jurisdictions close to other states could particularly benefit from clearer cross-state language. Representative Lucas suggested the language could be useful for places near state borders.

Representative Lucas moved the bill; Representative Weber seconded. The committee approved HB 154 on a roll-call vote of 9-0 (Representative Knapp cast an absentee aye). The committee record shows the committee regarded the core policy as clarifying enforcement authority and cross-state coverage for federal elections.

Votes at a glance: House Bill 154 — motion moved by Representative Lucas, seconded by Representative Weber; committee vote 9 ayes, 0 nos.