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, replacing them with a focus on "hand count voting systems." The bill emphasizes the importance of maintaining a proper chain of custody for paper ballots and introduces penalties for violations. Additionally, it revises post-election ballot audit procedures to ensure election results are verified through manual counting methods, while also clarifying the roles of election officials and establishing counting boards.

Key amendments include the requirement for county clerks to notify political party chairpersons about the testing of accessible voting machines prior to elections, allowing for party representation during the testing process. The bill also specifies that write-in votes will be counted if the intent is clear, and it mandates secure storage and specific conditions for counting provisional ballots. Enhanced penalties for election-related offenses are introduced, along with a redefinition of the role of election observers to ensure they can monitor the process without disrupting it. Overall, the legislation aims to improve the integrity, transparency, and accessibility of the electoral process in Wyoming, with an effective date set for 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