- Lawmakers take on election reform, appointment process (WyoFile, 10/18/2022)
- The Wyoming Legislature’s Joint Corporations, Elections and Political Subdivisions Committee addressed various election reform topics, including electronic voting machines, ranked-choice voting, primary reform, elected-office vacancies, campaign finance, and the election-oversight authorities of the secretary of state. The committee voted to sponsor six measures, including bills to codify the certification process for electronic voting equipment, allow ranked-choice voting in non-partisan municipal races, and refine the process for filling elected-office vacancies. Additionally, the committee considered bills to clarify public scrutiny of post-election information and a resolution urging Congress to limit corporate campaign contributions. Public testimony revealed mistrust in Wyoming’s election system, with some residents questioning the accuracy of past elections and alleging instances of fraud, but the committee noted that audits of the 2020 election indicated 100% accuracy throughout the state.
- With Gaming Now A $1 Billion Wyoming Industry, Does It Need More Oversight? (Cowboy State Daily, 5/7/2024)
- Gaming in Wyoming has rapidly expanded into a billion-dollar industry, encompassing skill-based games, parimutuel gambling, live horse racing, and sports betting. The Wyoming Gaming Commission is set to undertake a Gaming Expansion Study to assess the industry’s growth, potential oversight needs, and the economic and social impacts of further expansion. The study contract is expected to be awarded by late June, with completion by September 1, followed by the development of new rules by the Gaming Commission. The Legislature’s Joint Appropriations Committee expressed concerns about the nature of the study at a recent meeting, suggesting it might be ignoring crucial factors.
- House check investigation committee to begin work Thursday (Wyoming Tribune Eagle, 2/23/2026)
- The Wyoming House Special Investigative Committee is scheduled to begin public hearings Thursday into the distribution of campaign checks to lawmakers on the House floor, following a unanimous Feb. 12 vote to establish the panel after photographs showed activist Rebecca Bextel handing out checks on behalf of donor Don Grasso. According to the motion creating the committee, it is authorized to compel testimony under oath, hold public proceedings, and must report findings and recommendations within four legislative days after convening, while a separate criminal investigation by the Laramie County Sheriff’s Office is ongoing. Lawmakers, including Speaker Chip Neiman—who acknowledged receiving a $1,500 check and denied wrongdoing—are expected to testify, despite the committee chair’s earlier recommendation to delay the inquiry.
- Wyoming House committee hears ‘Checkgate’ testimony (Wyoming Public Radio, 2/26/2026)
- Members of a Wyoming special investigative committee heard testimony regarding the “checkgate” controversy, with witnesses describing alleged irregularities in how state payments were issued and tracked. According to testimony presented during the hearing, concerns were raised about internal controls, transparency, and compliance with financial procedures. Committee members indicated they were reviewing the information to determine whether further investigation or policy changes would be warranted.
