The League of Women Voters of Wyoming (LWVWY) has voiced disappointment over Governor Mark Gordon’s decision to allow House Bill 156 (Proof of Voter Residency – Registration Qualifications) to become law without his signature, County 10 reports.
The organization, which advocates for voter education and access, opposed the bill throughout the 2025 legislative session and believes it will create unnecessary barriers to voting.
Governor Gordon, in his veto message, acknowledged that Wyoming’s elections are conducted properly and questioned both the legality and necessity of the bill. However, by not signing or vetoing the measure, he allowed it to be added to the Wyoming Election Code.
LWVWY argues that the legislation does not enhance election security but instead places additional burdens on both voters and election officials. The group believes the bill:
Creates obstacles for eligible voters, potentially leading to disenfranchisement.
Increases the workload for county clerks and election staff.
Opens the state to potential legal challenges over voting rights.
The bill was initially proposed to clarify the definition of a “bona fide” resident for voter registration purposes. However, the League contends that it fails to achieve this goal and instead discourages voter participation.
Nancy Lockwood, President of LWVWY, emphasized that ensuring accessible elections should be a priority and that measures like HB 156 only serve to complicate the voting process.
The passage of HB 156 adds to ongoing debates surrounding voter registration laws in Wyoming and across the country. Supporters of stricter voter residency requirements argue that such laws prevent voter fraud and uphold election integrity. Opponents, including LWVWY, counter that voter fraud is rare and that these laws disproportionately impact certain voter groups by making the registration process more difficult.
