Wyoming LAP Book

      The 1992 legislative reapportionment resulted in a "nested" system of legislative districts. Wyoming was divided into 30 Senate districts, approximately equal in population as of the 1990 census. Each Senate district was then split into two House of Representatives districts, for a total of 90 legislators.
      Throughout The Wyoming LAP* Book, each "nest" of a Senate district and its two House districts has been kept together, so that when you locate your Senator, one of the two Representatives who follow is also yours.
      In the legislative profiles showing campaign contributions, legislators are grouped by geographic area. The Senator is listed first, followed by the two House members whose districts comprise the Senate district.
      If in doubt about which Senate and House districts you live in, contact your county clerk, who has all the maps and district information.

Explanation of Legislative Profiles.       In the legislative profiles, the legislator's district, name, home address, political party, occupation, 1994 or 1996 election results, and committee assignments are listed at the top of each profile.
      As noted above, within each geographic grouping, the profile for each Senator is followed by the profiles for the two Representatives "nested" in the senatorial district.
      The 1994 and 1996 campaign contribution data were compiled from the candidates' Statements of Receipts and Expenditures required by state law and filed with the Wyoming Secretary of State's office.
      Under "Contributions Received," there is a list of the total funds the legislator and his/her committee (if any) received, by category, for the primary and general elections combined. The total amount spent is listed, as is any remaining balance.
      Contributions from Political Action Committees (PACs) are then listed alphabetically, followed by the name of the candidate's largest individual contributor.
      These figures are as reported by the candidates except where adjustments have been made to correct math errors or categorization of contributors. Each legislator was given an opportunity to proof his/her profile as it appears in The Wyoming LAP* Book.
      Although expenditures are also itemized in the candidates' reports, The Wyoming LAP* Book does not include these data because the important issue from a constituent's point of view is the potential for influence from contributors of funds, not how the funds are spent.
      Successful candidates frequently use any leftover campaign funds to offset the miscellaneous expenses of holding office (postage, copies, etc.) for which they are not reimbursed.
      Some choose to give the money to other candidates, to their political party, or to charity. Candidates may legally convert any unspent funds to their personal use as long as they declare the funds as income; to date, all legislative attempts to designate the disposition of unspent funds have failed.