HB0131 amends Wyoming election law to prohibit the use of ballot drop boxes for returning absentee ballots. The bill changes W.S. 22-9-113 so that, after a qualified elector marks the ballot and signs the affidavit, the ballot must be sealed in the inner envelope and then mailed or delivered to the county clerk, removing drop boxes as an authorized delivery method.
The bill is a targeted election-administration measure rather than a broad rewrite of voting law. It takes effect July 1, 2025, and would require clerks and voters to use traditional return methods for absentee ballots, with the practical effect of eliminating local drop-box infrastructure as an option for ballot submission.
Impact
HB0131 would directly alter Wyoming’s absentee-ballot return procedures by removing ballot drop boxes from the list of permissible delivery methods. This affects county clerks, election administrators, and voters who rely on drop boxes for convenient ballot return, and it may require counties to discontinue or remove existing drop-box programs and adjust voter instructions and election materials to reflect the new law.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have received generally favorable support in the Legislature, passing the House 51-10 and advancing through the Senate Corporations Committee 3-2 after a House committee recommendation of 8-1. The vote margins suggest the proposal was supported by a clear majority but remained politically divisive, with a meaningful minority opposed.
Contention
The main point of contention is the elimination of ballot drop boxes themselves. Supporters likely view the change as a way to standardize ballot return procedures and address election administration or security concerns, while opponents likely see drop boxes as a convenient and accessible voting option that helps voters return ballots on time. The split committee and floor votes indicate disagreement over balancing ballot access against concerns about ballot handling and election integrity.