HB 52 — Elections-hand counting for recounts.

Summary

AN ACT relating to elections; providing a process for certain recounts to be conducted by hand counting the votes; authorizing the secretary of state and county clerks to require recounts as specified; providing for hand counts to be requested by candidates as specified; specifying the costs of recounts; clarifying when a counting board is required to be appointed; amending dates related to elections; amending provisions related to election recount judges; requiring the completion of a hand count by the county clerk of each county in the 2026 primary and general elections; specifying requirements for the hand count; requiring rulemaking; creating an account; making conforming amendments; providing appropriations; and providing for effective dates.

Bill Text

• Introduced View text Current pdf

AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

The bill establishes new procedures for conducting hand recounts in elections in Wyoming.

• W.S. 22-1-102(a)(xlii)

  "Recount" is the counting of ballots by hand or the processing of ballots through the tabulation system for an additional time or times, conducted for the specific purpose of counting votes again in any specific race, based upon the criteria of W.S. 22-16-109 or 22-16-111 through 22-16-113; → "Recount" is the counting of ballots by hand or the processing of ballots through the tabulation system for an additional time or times, conducted for the specific purpose of counting votes again in any specific race, based upon the criteria of W.S. 22-16-109 or 22-16-110 through 22-16-113;

  This change broadens the definitions related to recounts to include new sections.

• W.S. 22-8-108(a)

  Unless ballots are tabulated by electronic voting systems, the county clerk shall appoint a counting board for each paper ballot polling place casting more than three hundred (300) votes at the last general election, and may appoint a counting board in such a polling place in which one hundred fifty (150) or more such votes were cast at such election. → Unless ballots are tabulated by electronic voting systems, the county clerk shall appoint a counting board for each paper ballot polling place casting more than three hundred (300) votes at the last general election, and may appoint a counting board in such a polling place in which one hundred fifty (150) or more such votes were cast at such election. The county clerk shall appoint a counting board for the purposes of completing recounts as provided in W.S. 22-16-109.

  This amendment requires that a counting board be appointed specifically for conducting recounts.

• W.S. 22-16-109(b)

  less than one percent (1%) two percent (2%) of the number of votes cast for the winning candidate receiving the least number of votes cast for that office in that county. → less than one percent (1%) of the number of votes cast for the winning candidate receiving the least number of votes cast for that office in that county.

  This change simplifies the threshold for requiring a recount prior to the county canvass.

• W.S. 22-16-110(a)

  or by hand count using tally sheets. → or by hand count.

  This change allows candidates to request a hand recount without specifying the use of tally sheets.

• W.S. 22-16-111(a)(i)

  a hand count; → a hand count.

  This change specifies that recounts for statewide propositions must be conducted by hand.

• W.S. 22-16-111(a)(ii)

  greater or lesser, within two percent (2%) of the number of votes required for passage. This recount shall be conducted by a hand count. → greater or lesser, within two percent (2%) of the number of votes required for passage. This recount shall be conducted by a hand count.

  This amendment enforces the requirement for a hand count for recounts on non-statewide propositions.

• W.S. 22-16-109(c)

  may be conducted by hand count or by using electronic voting equipment as determined by the candidate. → may be conducted by a hand count or by using electronic voting equipment as determined by the candidate.

  This change allows a candidate to choose the method of conducting a recount.

• W.S. 22-16-109(d)

  This recount may be conducted by hand or by using electronic voting equipment as specified by the secretary of state. → This recount may be conducted by a hand count or by using electronic voting equipment as specified by the secretary of state.

  This change clarifies that recounts required by the secretary of state can be conducted by hand, emphasizing the option for hand counting.

• W.S. 22-16-109(e)

  This recount may be conducted by hand or by using electronic voting equipment as specified by the county clerk. → This recount may be conducted by a hand count or by using electronic voting equipment as specified by the county clerk.

  This change reinforces the county clerk’s discretion in choosing how to conduct recounts.

• W.S. 22-16-109(f)

  the county canvassing board shall determine the official result of the election.

  This amendment clarifies the authority of the recount results in case of discrepancies.

• W.S. 22-16-109(g)

  There is created the election recount account. Funds in the account shall not revert and are continuously appropriated to the secretary of state for costs related to administering hand recounts.

  This change establishes a dedicated account for the financial aspects of conducting hand recounts.

• Amendment HB0052H3001 (3rd reading) - Representative Brady (Corrected, Failed) Failed Show changes
• Amendment HB0052H3002 (3rd reading) - Representative Brady (Corrected, Corrected, Failed) Failed Show changes
• Amendment HB0052H3003 (3rd reading) - Representative Haroldson (Corrected, Adopted) Adopted Show changes
• Amendment HB0052H3004 (3rd reading) - Representative Riggins (Failed) Failed Show changes
• Amendment HB0052HW001 (Committee of the Whole) - Representative Yin (Withdrawn) Failed Show changes
• Amendment HB0052HW002 (Committee of the Whole) - Representative Heiner (Withdrawn) Failed Show changes
• Amendment HB0052HW003 (Committee of the Whole) - Representative Haroldson (Adopted) Adopted Show changes
• Amendment HB0052SS001 (Standing Committee) Show changes

Action History

1. March 04, 2026

   S COW:S Did not consider for COW

2. March 02, 2026

   S02 - Appropriations:Recommend Do Pass 3-0-2-0-0

3. March 02, 2026

   S Placed on General File

4. February 27, 2026

   S07 - Corporations:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 3-2-0-0-0

5. February 27, 2026

   :Rerefer to S02 - Appropriations

6. February 24, 2026

   S Received for Introduction

7. February 24, 2026

   S Introduced and Referred to S07 - Corporations

8. February 23, 2026

   H 3rd Reading:Passed 49-9-4-0-0

9. February 22, 2026

   H 3rd Reading:Laid Back

10. February 20, 2026

    H 2nd Reading:Passed

11. February 19, 2026

    H COW:Passed

12. February 12, 2026

    H07 - Corporations:Recommend Do Pass 8-1-0-0-0

13. February 12, 2026

    :Rerefer to H02 - Appropriations

14. February 12, 2026

    H02 - Appropriations:Recommend Do Pass 7-0-0-0-0

15. February 12, 2026

    H Placed on General File

16. February 09, 2026

    H Introduced and Referred to H07 - Corporations 46-16-0-0-0

17. January 22, 2026

    H Received for Introduction

18. January 21, 2026

    Bill Number Assigned

Sponsors

• Elections and Political Subdivisions Corporations · Primary

Subjects