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SF 78

Distribution of unsolicited absentee ballot request forms.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Bo Biteman and 4 co-sponsors

Wyoming bans unsolicited absentee ballot request forms by private groups; only clerks or secretary of state may send them, reducing deceptive election mail, effective immediately.

Assigned Chapter Number 22
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Bill Summary · SF 78

Summary — SF 78 (Enrolled Act No. 10 / Chapter 22, 2025)

Status: Enacted — Governor signed; Assigned Chapter No. 22 (2025)

Purpose

To prohibit the unsolicited distribution of absentee ballot request forms to Wyoming qualified electors, limiting who may send such forms and reducing circulation of documents that appear to be official election materials unless the voter requests them.

Key provisions

  • Amends W.S. 22-9-104 by creating new subsection (e).
  • Prohibition: No person — except a county clerk, the secretary of state, or their designees — may distribute an absentee ballot request form to a qualified elector unless the elector specifically requests the form.
  • Definition/coverage: "Absentee ballot request form" includes any document that claims to be or is deceptively similar to an official election document and covers distribution by mail, email, or any other means.
  • Effective date: The act is effective immediately upon completion of all acts necessary for a bill to become law (Governor signed SEA No. 0010; chapter assignment on 2/24/2025).

Who is affected

  • Restricted: Private individuals, campaigns, political organizations, third-party groups, businesses, and others who might mail or email absentee ballot request forms to voters without a voter request.
  • Exempt: County clerks, the secretary of state, and their designees may distribute absentee ballot request forms whether or not solicited.
  • Protected: Qualified electors (eligible Wyoming voters) who will not receive unsolicited forms that claim to be official election documents unless they asked for them.

Fiscal and enforcement notes

  • Fiscal note: No fiscal or personnel impact reported.
  • Enforcement/penalties: The statute creates a prohibition but does not specify civil or criminal penalties or an enforcement mechanism within the text of the subsection itself.

Legislative action & sponsors

  • Sponsors/cosponsors include Senators Hutchings, Biteman and Ide and Representatives Knapp and Singh; Donahue is also listed as a primary sponsor in some records.
  • Senate: Passed 3rd Reading 31–0. House: Passed 3rd Reading 57–4–1.
  • Enrolled Act No. 10 (SEA No. 0010), Chapter No. 22, Session Laws of Wyoming 2025; Governor signed 2/24/2025 (effective upon completion of enactment).

Additional context

  • The provision targets documents that "claim to be or are deceptively similar" to official forms, aiming to reduce voter confusion from unofficial mailers/emails while preserving access to official forms from election officials or when voters request them. An amendment that would have narrowed language was considered but not adopted.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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