Campaign For Artificial Intelligence Cheyenne City Councilman

A man who tried to run for mayor of Cheyenne as a ''Virtual Integrated Citizen" or VIC in 2024, now says his 19-year-old nephew will run for the Cheyenne City Council in Ward I in 2026 with the intention of handing the seat over to Artificial Intelligence.

Victor Miller said then that his real intention was to have the mayoral duties performed by Artificial Intelligence.

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But the nephew, Landon Miller, says he "doesn't care about politics," according to a news release. In fact, according the release, Landon is planning on "ceding his place on the ballot to VIC (Virtual Integrated Citizen), the AI system."

The legality of such a move would appear to be dubious under current law. The 2024 Cheyenne Municipal Election Guide For Mayoral And City Council says qualifications for city council include that they ''Must be a registered and qualified elector (refer to Wyo. Stat. § 22-1-102 (a) (xxvi), which includes requirement that persons must be at least 18 years of age on the day of the election at which he/she may offer to vote includes the following as a requirement to run for City Council:'

Victor Miller Tried To Run For Mayor As "VIC'' 2024

Victor Miller tried to run for mayor in 2024 as an artificial intelligence. and wanted to appear on the ballot as VIC. But Laramie County Clerk Debra Lee vetoed that idea, saying it violated state law:

''Victor Miller, through countless interviews and statements to media, has consistently maintained a distinction between himself as a “meat avatar” and separate from the AI-program he chooses to call VIC. To allow VIC to be listed as a candidate would both violate Wyoming law and create voter confusion. VIC is not a registered voter. Therefore, VIC cannot run for office in Wyoming and the name does not appear on Laramie County’s official ballot.''

He appeared on the primary election ballot as Victor Miller, finishing a distant fourth with 327 votes, well behind Incumbent Patrick Collins and challenger Rick Coppinger, who advance to the General Election.

While the decision rested with Lee, Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray said he didn't think the campaign was legal either.

But apparently none of that is stopping the Millers. The Thursday news release says "This will be the first-ever successful election of an AI system. Jackie Robinson and Rosa Parks broke barriers, the Wright brothers and Chuck Yeager conquered the skies, and now Landon Miller will make history as the first to hand democratic sovereign power over to artificial intelligence."

At another point, the release says "This election is our first strike against corrupt politicians. We are sick of despair and hopelessness—we want happiness and prosperity. Under fair governance, this will be our reality," said Vic Miller. "The people of Cheyenne are going to send a message to the world that we're ready to be governed by artificial intelligence. At this point, we'd prefer almost anything over these politicians. Just look at what they're doing to us! Luckily we have a great new choice with the arrival of this wonderful intelligence."