Catch Title: Pen and paper ballots

Sponsor: Joint Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions Interim Committee

Effective Date: Effective immediately upon completion of all acts necessary for a bill to become law

Bill: https://www.wyoleg.gov/Legislation/2026/HB0048

Overview This bill establishes pen and paper as the mandatory default method for marking ballots for all in-person voting in Wyoming . While it permits the use of electronic ballot marking devices for voters with disabilities to comply with federal law, it explicitly prohibits their use as the default method for the general voting population . The bill restricts the existing authority of county commissioners and clerks to adopt electronic systems that do not adhere to this paper-default requirement .

Key Provisions

• Mandatory Paper Default: Each county must provide paper ballots and pens as the primary method for marking ballots for all in-person voting .
• Secrecy Requirement: The county clerk must ensure that the paper-and-pen marking process allows for the ballot to be marked secretly.
• Disability Accessibility Exception: County clerks are permitted to provide electronic ballot marking devices for voters with disabilities, provided they meet federal accessibility requirements (HAVA) and conform to state Election Code .
• Restriction on Default Use: Electronic ballot marking devices cannot be used as the default voting method in any county .
• Limitations on Local Authority: The power of county commissioners and clerks to adopt or utilize various voting machines, electronic systems, or bond election equipment is now strictly subject to the paper-default mandate in W.S. 22-13-119 .

Implications

• Highly Targeted Impact: Currently, only one of Wyoming’s 23 counties utilizes electronic ballot marking devices as the default method; this bill is specifically targeted at Laramie County, which represents 16% of the state’s total registered voters.
• Significant Unbudgeted Costs: The transition from on-demand barcode printing to a pre-printed system will require approximately 40,000 pre-printed ballots in Laramie County alone.
• Logistical Complexity in Primaries: Primary elections will require the management of approximately 120 unique ballot formats (based on 3 parties across 40 precincts), creating a new administrative burden for ballot procurement and inventory management.
• Lack of Fiscal Support: No fiscal note has been provided to address the increased costs of printing or the potential need for equipment replacement to accommodate a paper-only intake system.
• Equipment Replacement Needs: Counties currently relying on electronic marking workflows may face substantial costs to replace or modify hardware that was not originally designed for a paper-default in-person process.
• Compulsory Enforcement: County clerks have no statutory choice but to comply; failure to do so would place the voting rights of their constituents at risk.