A federal lawsuit challenging Wyoming’s newly enacted voter registration law has attracted prominent attorneys from both sides of the political aisle, underscoring the national attention the case is receiving ahead of the law’s scheduled implementation on July 1, WyoFile reports.
The law, a legislative priority for Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray and conservative members of the state legislature, requires individuals to provide proof of US citizenship and Wyoming residency when registering to vote. Opponents argue it could suppress voter participation and create unconstitutional barriers to the ballot.
The lawsuit was filed in May by the Equality State Policy Center, a nonpartisan voting rights group. The group is represented by Colorado-based Killmer Lane and Washington, DC-based Elias Law Group, a national firm recognized for its focus on election law. The Elias Law Group is led by Marc Elias, a veteran voting-rights attorney who previously served as general counsel to Democratic presidential campaigns.
On the other side, Gray and Wyoming’s 23 county clerks are represented by Dhillon Law Group and Gessler Blue, two firms known for their work defending election laws and conservative political causes. The Dhillon firm has represented President Donald Trump in ballot access cases and other election-related matters. Scott Gessler, a former Colorado Secretary of State, also worked with Dhillon during Trump-related litigation in 2024.
Cheyenne-based Falen Law Offices is also representing Gray in the case.
The lawsuit contends that the new law imposes an undue burden on voters and is unconstitutionally vague. In particular, the plaintiffs argue it could exclude otherwise eligible voters due to unclear requirements or administrative hurdles.
“We are proud to represent the Equality State Policy Center in this critical lawsuit because Wyoming voters deserve free, fair, and secure elections,” said Elisabeth Frost, an attorney with the Elias Law Group. “Voting rights should not be a partisan issue.”
Supporters of the law, including Gray, contend that the legislation is essential to ensuring election integrity and preventing fraud. Gray emphasized the qualifications of the firms representing his office, noting their experience with high-profile election cases.
“These attorneys bring a wealth of knowledge and experience regarding election law and defense of the truth,” Gray said in a statement.
Attorneys for the Equality State Policy Center have asked for a preliminary injunction to block the law from taking effect while the court considers the broader constitutional challenge.
In response, Gray’s legal team requested additional time to prepare their defense and indicated plans to present testimony from multiple witnesses regarding how the law will be implemented. They cited the need to adequately respond to the more than 500 pages of documentation already submitted by the plaintiffs.
US District Judge Scott Skavdahl partially granted the extension, though he declined to schedule a hearing and cited Gray’s previous public comments about working with legal counsel on the case. Gray must file a formal response by Friday.
While voter registration and election laws are typically handled at the state level, this lawsuit has drawn national attention because of the attorneys involved and the broader debate over voting access and election security.
Wyoming’s voter law is one of several recently passed by Republican-led legislatures across the country seeking to tighten registration requirements. Critics argue such laws could disenfranchise certain populations, particularly rural residents, young voters, and those without easy access to documentation.
