Fremont County sets election-judge pay, adopts new post-election audit rules and amends tax ballot timing

Fremont County Clerk Julie Freese presented the board with a proposed wage schedule for judges for the 2026 general election and reviewed a new state-required post-election audit procedure that will increase local workload and costs.

The commissioners approved the wage schedule by motion. Under the approved pay plan, Main Manager Judges will be paid $250 per election, Manager Judges at stations $225 per election, other Judges $200 per election, Early Voting/Absentee Judges and canvass/audit teams $14 per hour, mileage at $0.72 per mile one-way after five miles, $25 for attending one judges’ school, and a $50 meal stipend.

Freese said the Secretary of State will select one federal office and one state office in each county for a manual hand count; the audit will cover 5% of votes cast on election day and must be completed within nine days after the county canvassing board certifies results. She said the county expects the procedure to require three to four teams of election judges, which will increase the 2026 election budget.

The board also approved Resolution 2026-12, required by Wyoming statute 22-7-101, confirming existing election districts and precincts and the county's vote center plan. Commissioners then amended Resolution 2026-09 to clarify that, if approved by voters, the proposed 3/4% economic development tax will become effective Jan. 1, 2027, and remain in effect for four years as allowed under W.S. 39-15-203(a)(v)(C).

All motions on these items carried unanimously.