Wyoming is a state with a long history of absentee voting and a reputation for high voter participation, and the League of Women Voters of Wyoming has played an influential role in enabling both. Since at least the 1940s in Wyoming, the nonpartisan League has been a champion of voting and political education.
In the 1980s, the Casper League was particularly interested in elections conducted by mail, preparing a report on the topic. It outlined the history of vote-by-mail experiments in Oregon, California, Washington, Kansas and Montana. The focus then was on vote by mail for special elections, where voting was to be conducted exclusively and entirely by mail (the polls were not open at all during a special election in those states). More recently, vote-by-mail and absentee voting, as an alternative to going to the polls on election day, have been in the news.
The debate over vote-by-mail took center stage during the 2020 presidential election, largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Social distancing measures and concerns about large gatherings led many states to expand their mail-in voting programs. Proponents of mail-in voting argue that it makes voting more accessible, especially for individuals who cannot vote in person due to health concerns, disabilities, or work commitments.
However, critics argue that mail-in voting is vulnerable to fraud and abuse. They point to isolated cases of voter fraud, ballot harvesting, and logistical challenges in counting mail-in votes. The debate over mail-in voting continues, with several states enacting stricter voting laws, while others are making it easier to vote by mail.
Absentee voting in Wyoming has been available since at least the mid-20th century. In the 1950s, absentee voting was primarily used by individuals who could not physically get to a polling place on Election Day, such as military personnel, those with medical issues, or individuals who were out of state. Voters needed to provide a reason for requesting an absentee ballot, which was a common requirement in many states during that era. The process was manual, with voters having to request a ballot, receive it by mail, and then return it before Election Day.
During the 1960s and 1970s, as Wyoming’s population grew, and transportation became more accessible, absentee voting expanded. However, the requirement to provide a valid reason for requesting an absentee ballot remained in place for several decades. The state legislature gradually made the process easier over time, particularly in response to requests from military voters and those living in remote areas of the state, where getting to a polling place could require hours of travel.
In the late 20th century, the national conversation around absentee and early voting began to shift. Wyoming adapted to these trends by further simplifying its absentee voting process. By the early 2000s, Wyoming allowed any registered voter to request an absentee ballot without needing to provide a specific reason. This change was significant because it aligned Wyoming with other states that were moving toward more accessible voting practices.
Today, Wyoming continues to offer a robust absentee voting system. Any registered voter can request an absentee ballot for any reason, making it an attractive option for those who might have difficulty voting in person on Election Day. The process is straightforward:
- Voters must request an absentee ballot either by mail, phone, or online.
- Once the request is processed, the ballot is mailed to the voter.
- The voter can return the ballot by mail, in person at the county clerk’s office, or via designated drop boxes.
Ballots must be received by the county clerk by 7 p.m. on Election Day, and voters can track the status of their absentee ballot to ensure it has been counted.
During the 2020 election, the Wyoming Secretary of State mailed an absentee ballot request form to every registered voter. As a result, approximately 60% of Wyoming voters cast their ballots by mail, a significant increase from previous years, reflecting the national trend driven by the pandemic.
Wyoming’s vast rural landscape presents unique challenges when it comes to voting. With many voters living in remote areas, the state has long recognized the need for flexible voting options. Absentee voting and mail-in voting can provide a crucial service to these residents, allowing them to participate in elections without facing long travel times to polling locations. Wyoming’s relatively small population also means that election officials can manage and verify absentee ballots with greater ease than in more populous states. While the national debate around mail-in voting continues, Wyoming’s experience shows that with proper safeguards in place, absentee voting can be both secure and accessible.
Among the materials found in the League of Women Voters of Wyoming records at the American Heritage Center is a 2012 Wyoming Election Code manual and various analyses of Wyoming election law from the 1950s and 1960s.
Post contributed by AHC Writer Kathryn Billington.
References
Wyoming Secretary of State. “Absentee Voting Information.” Wyoming Secretary of State’s Office, Accessed 11 Sept. 2024
National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). “Absentee and Mail Voting Policies in Effect for the 2020 Election.” National Conference of State Legislatures, 20 Oct. 2020.
U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. “Rumor Control: Misconceptions and Facts About Election Integrity.” CISA.gov.
