This bill establishes paper ballots as the default voting method for all in-person elections in Wyoming, with exceptions for electronic ballot marking devices for accessibility purposes. It outlines a process for the automatic tabulation of paper ballots and details procedures for hand counting during recounts. The legislation revises the timing for absentee polling places and adjusts the dates for primary elections and canvassing to align with the new hand counting requirements. Additionally, it creates an election recount account to fund hand recount costs and introduces a definition of "recount" that includes both hand counting and electronic processing of ballots.

Key amendments include stipulations that recounts for certain offices must be conducted by hand if the vote difference is less than two percent, and candidates can request recounts using either method. The bill also sets a deposit requirement for recount requests, with a maximum of one thousand dollars for electronic recounts and up to five thousand dollars for hand counts. If a recount changes the election outcome, the county will cover the costs and refund the deposit. Other modifications include changing the state canvassing board's meeting date, allowing electronic voting for bond elections, and ensuring voting methods in multi-county districts are appropriate for qualified electors. The bill repeals certain existing provisions and appropriates two hundred thousand dollars to the election recount account, effective July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
26LSO-0049 v0.3: 22-1-102, 22-2-104, 22-8-102, 22-8-108, 22-9-125, 22-10-102, 22-11-102, 22-14-114, 22-16-103, 22-16-109, 22-16-110, 22-16-111, 22-16-113, 22-16-118, 22-21-109, 22-22-203