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Wyoming signature requirements
 (By state) |
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Federal offices
U.S. Senate and U.S. House
Major party candidates filing for U.S. Senate and U.S. House are required to submit a $200 filing fee. Minor party candidates are required to submit signatures equal to 2% of the total number of votes cast for the representative in Congress in the previous general election.[1][2]
Filing deadlines
2012
In 2012, the last day to circulate and file nomination petitions for candidates was on June 1 for major party candidates and August 20 for minor party candidates.[1][2]
The 2% of total votes cast for the representative in Congress that are required to file as a minor party candidate amount to 3,740 signatures in 2012.[3]
State offices
State legislative
Major party candidates filing for State Senate and State House are required to submit a $25 filing fee. Minor party candidates are required to submit signatures equal to 2% of the total number of votes cast for the representative in congress in the previous General Election.[1][2]
State executive
Major party candidates filing for Governor are required to submit a $200 filing fee. Minor party candidates are required to submit signatures equal to 2% of the total number of votes cast for the representative in Congress in the previous general election.[1][2]
Filing deadlines
2012
In 2012, the last day to circulate and file nomination petitions for candidates was on June 1 for major party candidates and August 20 for minor party candidates.[1][2]
The 2% of total votes cast for the representative in Congress that are required to file as a minor party candidate amount to 3,740 signatures in 2012.[3]
Ballot measures
Wyoming ballot measures come in different varieties. They are:
- initiated state statute - Earns a spot on the ballot when sponsors collect signatures according to the laws governing the initiative process in Wyoming.
- legislatively-referred constitutional amendment - A constitutional amendment that appears on a state's ballot as a ballot measure because the state legislature in that state voted to put it before the voters.
- Veto referenda - When citizens of Wyoming disagree with a statute or legislative bill enacted by tare collected, the bill is placed on the statewide ballot.
Signature requirements
Ballot initiatives
The signature requirement in Wyoming is based on the number of votes cast in the state's most recent general election--held every two years. However, in most I&R states, the number of signatures required is based on gubernatorial elections--almost always held every four years. As a result of Wyoming's atypical system, the number of signatures changes significantly every two years due to the fact that voter turnout for presidential elections is generally much higher than in mid-term elections.
More specifically, initiated state statutes and veto referendums require signatures equal to 15% of the total ballots cast in the previous general election. This is the highest signature requirement of any state, even considering requirements for initiating constitutional amendments. Citizen-initiated amendments are not allowed in Wyoming.
| Year | Votes cast in most recent general election | Initiated statute | Veto referendum |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 250,701 | 37,606 | 37,606 |
| 2012 | 190,822 | 28,623 | 28,623 |
| 2010 | 256,035 | 38,406 | 38,406 |
| 2008 | 196,217 | 29,433 | 29,433 |
| 2006 | 245,789 | 36,899 | 36,899 |
| 2004 | 188,028 | 28,204 | 28,204 |
See law: Wyoming Constitution, Article 3, Section 52(c)
Basis for calculation
- In the 2010 general election, a total of 190,822 ballots were cast.[4]
Distribution requirement
- See also: Distribution requirement
- 15% of qualified voters in 2/3rds of the state's 23 counties must sign, according to Wyoming Amendment B (1998).
- Wyoming Initiative Process, Constitutional Amendment B (2008) sought unsuccessfully to amend the 1998 law.
Recall
- See also: Laws governing recall in Wyoming
In Wyoming, recall of elected officials is only available for elected officials of cities and towns that use the commission form of government. In those towns and cities, a recall election is triggered if signatures equaling 25% of all registered electors in the relevant city or town are gathered, submitted, and held to be sufficient by the clerk of the city or town. There is no rule governing how long or short a time is allowed to collect the required number of signatures.
Filing deadlines
2012
The filing deadline to turn in signatures to qualify an initiated statute for the November 2012 ballot is February 13, 2012[5].
2010
The filing deadline to turn in signatures to qualify an initiated statute for the November 2010 ballot is February 8, 2010.
See also
- Laws governing the initiative process in Wyoming
- List of Wyoming ballot measures
- Signature requirements and deadlines for 2012 U.S. Congress elections
- Signature requirements and deadlines for 2012 state legislative elections
External links
- Wyoming Secretary of State Elections Division
- Candidate Information
- Filing for Statewide Offices
- Signature requirements from the Wyoming Secretary of State
- NCSL signature chart for 2008
- Wyoming signature requirements collated by the Citizens in Charge Foundation
- Wyoming's I&R process document (prepared by the Wyoming Secretary of State and revised in January 2009)
- Total ballots cast in 2008
- Total ballots cast in 2006
- Total ballots cast in 2004
- Total ballots cast in 2002
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Wyoming Secretary of State, "Major Party Candidate Filing Guide," Accessed May 1, 2012
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "Minor Party Candidate Filing Guide," Accessed May 1, 2012
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 [Confirmed via email with Secretary of State, May 3, 2012]
- ↑ Wyoming Secretary of State "2010 Ballots Cast Summary"
- ↑ [Confirmed with WY SOS-Elections Division via phone on January 21, 2011]
