The proposed bill mandates the exclusive use of paper ballots for elections in Wyoming, requiring all ballots to be hand-counted and outlining specific procedures for this process. It repeals existing provisions related to electronic voting machines and electronic pollbooks, emphasizing a shift towards manual counting methods. Key changes include the removal of references to "electronic voting systems" and "automatic tabulating equipment," while introducing new definitions and procedures for hand counting. The bill also establishes that no electronic pollbooks shall be used during elections, although county clerks may still utilize electronic systems for preparing pollbooks. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of maintaining a chain of custody for paper ballots and outlines the procedures for hand counting votes, including the requirement for bipartisan counting teams.

The bill further amends existing election laws by focusing on the roles of election observers and the counting of ballots. It allows misspelled or abbreviated write-in votes to be counted if the intent is clear, and mandates secure storage of provisional ballots. The terminology is updated from "poll watchers" to "election observers," detailing their responsibilities. Stricter regulations regarding ballot boxes are also introduced, defining unlawful interference and possession of keys as felony offenses. The bill ensures that counties must use hand-counted paper ballots for bond elections and establishes penalties for violations. It is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 22-1-102, 22-3-113, 22-6-113, 22-9-121, 22-9-125, 22-10-101, 22-10-111, 22-11-103, 22-11-104, 22-11-107, 22-11-109, 22-12-110, 22-12-113, 22-13-109, 22-13-112, 22-14-105, 22-14-111, 22-26-101, 22-26-104