Voter laws in Wyoming are creating a rift between state's governor, secretary of state

Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon has wielded his veto power several times this year by rejecting more than 20 sections and line items in the 2024 budget. Recently, he denied various amendments by Secretary of State Chuck Gray regarding Wyoming’s election procedures.

The proposed changes would have required Wyoming voters to prove their residency if not already shown on their identification. The state has seen notable changes to its election laws in recent years.

Gordon’s letter argued that Gray did not have the authority to change the voter registration laws and that making the proposed changes circumvented the legislature.

“I do not believe it is within the scope of authority delegated to the Secretary of State by law,” added the governor.

Gray has publicly slammed Gordon for his actions.

“Gov. Gordon is now enabling Biden and the most radical leftists in America who are trying to help illegal immigrants vote in our elections,” Gray wrote in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

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The letter penned by Gordon also pointed to the lack of proven voter fraud in Wyoming’s elections, and voiced concern that adding the proposed changes could negatively impact voters.

“Voter confusion and inadvertent disenfranchisement would be contrary to the intent of the Wyoming Constitution,” Gordon wrote.

Stay up-to-date on Wyoming’s elections with USA Today’s Wyoming Election Guide.

Cy Neff is a politics reporting fellow based in Wyoming for USA Today. You can reach him at cneff@usatoday.com, or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @CyNeffNews

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Wyoming governor, secretary of state clash over voter registration