FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 20, 2023
Media Contact:
Marissa Carpio, Policy Director, mcarpio@equalitystate.org, 307-228-4163
The Equality State Policy Center Pushes Back on Wyoming Secretary of State’s Proposed Rule Related to Voting Rights
LARAMIE, Wyo. – The Equality State Policy Center is working to fulfill its mission by taking significant steps to promote transparency and accountability in Wyoming. The Secretary of State’s recently proposed rule makes changes to the statutes regarding voter registration, which oversteps rulemaking and subverts the legislative process. ESPC has submitted a Wyoming Public Records request, submitted a letter to the Wyoming Legislature’s Management Council, and called for a public hearing on the recent actions of the Secretary of State.
Records Request Submitted
On December 15th, 2023, the Equality State Policy Center submitted a records request with the Wyoming Secretary of State Office to determine the number of complaints related to voter fraud and other election violations and the number of complaints related to political campaign violations. The request was designed to shed light on the common violations, especially in light of the new proposed rule. There has been no response from the Secretary of State’s office at the time of this publication.
Secretary of State Public Comments and Request for Public Hearing
On December 18th, 2023, the Equality State Policy Center submitted public comments in response to the proposed rule to Joe Rubino, Chief Policy Officer for the Secretary of State’s Office. In that comment, ESPC requested a public hearing to discuss the rule that would affect voter registration in Wyoming. Any individual or organization can submit public comments or a request for a public hearing on the proposed rule by emailing Secretary of State Chief Policy Officer Joe Rubino at joe.rubino1@wyo.gov.
Letter to Management Council
On December, 19th, 2023, the Equality State Policy Center submitted a letter listing the concerns of the public in regards to the overstep of the Secretary of State in his rulemaking responsibilities. This letter serves to inform the Management Council of ESPC’s attention to the matter and plans for a public hearing. In the rulemaking process, the Management Council provides a recommendation on an agency’s rule before sending it to the Governor.
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The Equality State Policy Center is a non-profit, non-partisan coalition-based organization that aims to advance fair elections and transparent government in support of all Wyoming communities.
Secretary of State Proposed Rule: https://equalitystate.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Sos-Proposed-Rule-12.07.23.pdf
ESPC FOIA Request: https://equalitystate.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/ESPC-FOIA-to-SoS_12.15.23.pdf
ESPC Public Comments & Request for Public Hearing: https://equalitystate.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/FINAL-SoS-Request-for-Public-Hearing.pdf
ESPC Letter to Management Council: https://equalitystate.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/MC_PublicComments_ESPC_121923-.pdf