elections

The bill had passed the House recently on a 51-9 vote, But it was defeated in the Senate Elections, Corporations and Political Subdivisions Committee by a 3-1 margin.

Supporters of banning crossover voting, mostly Republicans, have said that the current law allowing people to change their party affiliation right through primary election day allows Democrats to interfere in GOP primaries.

A similar bill, sponsored by Sen. Anthony Bouchard, failed an introductory vote by a 17-13 margin in 2022.

Opponents of crossover voting in Wyoming primary elections have been trying for years to get the practice banned, so far without final success.

The proposal is apparently being driven by concerns over Republican Secretary of State nominee Chuck Gray potentially being in charge of Wyoming elections.

House Bill 74 would apply to primary elections for governor, secretary of state, state treasurer, state superintendent, and state legislature as well as federal offices [U.S Senate and the U.S. House].

Hundreds of Laramie County voters have already cast their ballots in the 6th penny election, according to County Clerk Debra Lee.

The measure will now go to Governor Mark Gordon who can choose to sign the bill, veto it, or allow it to become law without his signature.

Several high-profile bills face potentially decisive votes in the Wyoming Legislature today.

The bill is slated for a hearing in the Senate Elections, Corporations, and Political Subdivisions Committee this morning at 8.