In a landmark move, Wyoming has become the first U.S. state to mandate proof of U.S. citizenship and state residency for voter registration in all elections. Governor Mark Gordon allowed House Bill 156 to become law without his signature, signaling a significant shift in the state’s election laws.
Key Provisions of the New Law
Effective July 1, 2025, the law requires individuals registering to vote in Wyoming to provide:
- Proof of U.S. Citizenship: Acceptable documents include a valid Wyoming driver’s license or ID, a valid tribal ID, a Real ID-compliant driver’s license or ID from another state, a U.S. birth certificate, a valid U.S. passport, a Certificate of Naturalization, or a Certificate of Citizenship.
- Proof of Wyoming Residency: Applicants must have lived in the state for at least 30 days prior to registration. The Secretary of State will determine acceptable documents to establish residency.
Additionally, county clerks are authorized to reject voter registrations if there is any indication that the applicant is not a U.S. citizen or a Wyoming resident.
Political Context and Support
The legislation aligns with Secretary of State Chuck Gray’s Election Integrity Agenda and was part of the Wyoming Freedom Caucus’s “Five and Dime” plan. Gray emphasized the importance of the law, stating, “Only United States citizens, and only Wyomingites, should be voting in Wyoming elections. Period.”
The law also supports former President Donald Trump’s federal efforts to require proof of citizenship for voter registration through the proposed Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act.
Legal and Constitutional Considerations
Governor Gordon expressed concerns about potential legal challenges, particularly regarding the discrepancy between the state’s constitutional residency requirement of one year and the new law’s 30-day requirement. He noted that the law “will invite litigation” over this durational requirement.
Despite these concerns, the law is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, making Wyoming the first state to implement such comprehensive proof-of-citizenship requirements for voter registration in all elections.
Implications and Future Outlook
Wyoming’s new law represents a significant development in the ongoing national debate over election integrity and voter access. As the first state to enact such stringent requirements, Wyoming may serve as a model for similar legislation in other states, potentially influencing the broader landscape of U.S. election laws.
However, the law’s implementation and potential legal challenges will be closely watched, as they may set important precedents for the balance between ensuring election security and protecting voter access.
