Governor Gordon Allows Voter Residency Bill to Become Law

NEWS RELEASE

March 21, 2025

CONTACT: Michael Pearlman, Communications Director

Michael.Pearlman@wyo.gov

 

Governor Gordon Allows Voter Residency Bill to Become Law

 

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – Governor Gordon has taken action on the final outstanding bill of the 2025 legislative session, allowing House Enrolled Act 57/House Bill 156 - Proof of voter residency-registration qualifications to go into law without his signature. First and foremost, the Governor reiterated his confidence in how elections are conducted in Wyoming.  He believes only citizens who are residents of Wyoming should vote, but questioned the arbitrary nature and the legality of the Act’s thirty-day residency requirement. 

The Governor noted in his letter that the thirty-day residency requirement conflicts with federal law that prohibits a durational residency requirement to vote for the President or Vice President of the United States. “Whether the federal or state statute will prevail in a legal contest is likely a question that will have to be resolved in court,” Governor Gordon wrote.

The Governor also noted the Act’s “any indication” standard for rejection of voter registration might present challenges for clerks to administer with any degree of certainty. He wondered whether the changes made through this Act are an improvement over the existing “provisional ballot” process, whereby a questionable ballot is not counted until fully vetted and verified. 

“Because it is laudable to continuously improve our standards for identification, I am thrilled that this legislation now gives the Secretary of State the authority he was trying to usurp by passing rules he had no authority to pass last spring,” Governor Gordon wrote. “The will of the Legislature is finally clear on this point. Let us remember, though, it is ultimately essential and core to the workings of both our Wyoming and United States Constitutions that a bona fide citizen be able to vote without undue difficulty, and that right should not be abridged or diminished as a result of measures taken to conduct an election.”

The Governor’s letter may be found here. 

The full text of all bills can be found on the Wyoming Legislature’s website. A list of bills the Governor has taken action on during the 2025 Legislative Session can be found on the Governor's website.

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