Gray’s Election Bill Dies Amid Clash Over Accountability and ‘Personality Conflicts’

A bill that would have empowered the Secretary of State to seek removal of county clerks for election code violations died Monday in a Senate committee, defeated by lawmakers who saw it as a product of personal political feuds rather than necessary reform.

House Bill 86 failed 3-2 in the Senate Corporations, Elections and Political Subdivisions Committee after a heated exchange between Secretary of State Chuck Gray and committee chair Sen. Cale Case, R-Lander. The measure would have allowed Gray’s office to file formal complaints with the governor seeking removal of county clerks—a power Gray argued was needed after a 15-month struggle to hold Weston County Clerk Becky Hadlock accountable for a flawed post-election audit following the 2024 general election.

Gray presented a detailed timeline: electors filed complaints in November 2024; the governor’s office declined to act for seven months; the Management Audit Committee eventually investigated; and the governor finally initiated removal proceedings last week—15 months after the first complaint.

“The system of having accountability shouldn’t require some sort of Odyssean sort of follow-through,” Gray told the committee.

But Case wasn’t convinced. He said the bill was entangled in a broader dispute among Wyoming’s top elected officials and that the timing was wrong.

“I think this bill is kind of feeding into this dispute within our top five elected officials that I’m uncomfortable with,” Case said. “There’s so much animosity, very disappointing.”

Gray pushed back: “For me, I’m always about accountability, and it’s not about animus. It’s not about personality conflicts.”

Opponents, including Gail Symons of Civics 307 and Marguerite Herman of the League of Women Voters, argued the bill would inject politics into local matters. “HB 86 adds political leverage, not improved governance,” Symons said.

Sen. Cheri Steinmetz, R-Torrington, arrived skeptical but changed her mind during debate, ultimately voting yes. She joined Sen. Brian Boner, R-Douglas, in support. Sens. Dan Dockstader, R-Afton; Bill Landen, R-Casper; and Case voted no.

Gray noted he is not running for reelection and wouldn’t benefit personally. “I think it’s an important thing for our state, important improvement to the election code,” he said.