Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Redistricting topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Weston County commissioners table rescind of 2024 resolution as citizens press state redistricting effort
Summary
The Weston County Board of Commissioners voted to table a motion to rescind a 2024 resolution that declared vacancy in constitutional legislative districts while residents and outside legislators described work to press a constitutional redistricting approach at the statehouse.
The Weston County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 7, 2025 voted to table for six months a motion to rescind resolution 2024-10, a prior county resolution that declared vacancies in constitutional legislative districts. The commissioners said they wanted more time to monitor work underway by a local citizens group and allied state legislators pressing for redistricting changes at the state level.
Supporters of a statewide, constitution-based redistricting approach addressed the commission and outlined contacts in Cheyenne they said could carry a resolution or bill. Citizens and organizers described draft language they said was intended to align Wyoming legislative apportionment with Article III of the state constitution and noted outreach to state legislative leaders and the secretary of state.
The discussion centered on two competing concerns: whether the county should formally rescind the earlier county resolution and the potential political and legal consequences of either action. Presenters said the local effort aims to persuade the legislature to restore districting that they say would better match the constitution’s text, and that they had invitations to present proposals to House and Senate members in Cheyenne. Commissioners and members of the public discussed whether rescinding the 2024 resolution would help or hurt the county’s influence with legislators who are reportedly open to reviewing the issue.
County officials and residents pressed several practical points: whether the county board had legal authority to declare a vacancy in the first place, whether a rescission might confuse or undercut ongoing outreach to legislators, and whether the county should instead draft a new resolution that mirrors the legislative approach now being refined by outside groups. Speakers said the Secretary of State and the Republican State Central Committee had signaled interest in the issue and that legislative staff had reviewed draft proposals.
After roughly two hours of public discussion and back-and-forth among commissioners and residents, a motion to table rescinding resolution 2024-10 for six months passed. The board said the delay would allow proponents to pursue work at the state level and give commissioners time to review a proposed statewide resolution that local advocates said would ask the legislature to follow Article III districting principles.
The action leaves the countys 2024 resolution in place while citizens, local leaders and some legislators continue outreach in Cheyenne. Commissioners said they could revisit the rescission earlier if developments warranted it.
Why it matters: County leaders and residents are engaged in a multi-jurisdictional push that aims to press the Wyoming Legislature to change how legislative districts are apportioned. The debate highlights limits on county authority in state apportionment and the political risks of local resolutions in a statewide fight that advocates expect could involve committee review and, possibly, litigation.
What happens next: Local organizers said they are finalizing companion resolutions for the House and Senate and expect to pursue committee consideration in the current legislative session. The commission will revisit the rescission in six months or earlier if proponents report significant progress at the statehouse.
