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Albany County approves vote centers for 2026 elections, closes clerk office for special election day
Summary
Elections staff told commissioners the county will move to 10 vote centers and use e-poll books with ID scanners, express and VR lines, and online wait-time indicators; the board approved the vote-center resolution and closed the clerk’s office for the May 5 special election (except recording).
The Albany County Board of Commissioners approved Resolution 2026-00007 to establish vote centers and polling locations for the 2026 primary and general elections, and directed the county clerk’s office to close for most business on the May 5 special election day to free staff to serve as election judges.
Kayla, county elections staff, told the board the county will shift from roughly 12 polling locations to 10 vote centers that allow any voter to cast any ballot style at any location because the county is now using e-poll books. “What vote centers are is they are polling locations where any voter regardless of their district and precinct can vote at that location,” she said, adding that e-poll books and ID scanners should speed check-in and reduce data entry time.
To reduce lines, staff said they will use separate express lines for registered voters and voter-registration (VR) lines for voters who need to register or update residency, and will provide an online wait-time counter so voters can choose shorter locations. Kayla said the county will also scan the barcode on IDs to bring up voter records and reduce manual entry. She told commissioners the county plans outreach materials and movable signs to help voters find new or changed locations.
Commissioners asked about residency and ID requirements and provisional ballots. Kayla said an out-of-state ID with a barcode can be scanned to pull a registered voter’s record, but proof of residency (utility bill, property tax bill, or an electronic copy) remains required for registration. She cautioned that provisional ballots and VR processing take longer for voters without the required documents.
The board approved the resolution after discussion about outreach and logistics. They also approved closing the county clerk’s office on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, “for all business except recording of documents pursuant to Wyoming statute 22-2-112” so staff can serve at the polls.
What happens next: staff will finalize polling-site lists, post voter information and wait-time tools online, distribute flyers and movable signs, and use the May special election as a dry run ahead of the primary and general elections.
