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].

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.

Current state law only allows for the removal of city elected officials under a "city commission" form of government.