Signature requirements for ballot measures in Wyoming
This page details signature requirements for statewide ballot measures in Wyoming.
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| List of 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 the legislature, sponsors may collect signatures to get the bill placed on the statewide ballot for voters to uphold or repeal.
Signature requirements and basis
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 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 percent of the total ballots cast in the previous general election. This is the highest ballot initiative signature requirement of any state, even considering requirements for initiating constitutional amendments. Citizen-initiated amendments are not allowed in Wyoming.
The chart below shows election years and the signature requirement for initiatives designed to appear on the ballot in that year.
| Year | Votes cast in most recent general election | Initiated statute/veto referendum |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 271,123 (2024 election) | 40,669 |
| 2024 | 198,198 (2022 election) | 29,730 |
| 2022 | 278,503 (2020 election) | 41,776 |
| 2020 | 205,275 (2018 election) | 30,792 |
| 2018 | 258,788 (2016 election) | 38,818 |
| 2016 | 171,153 (2014 election) | 25,673 |
| 2014 | 250,701 (2012 election) | 37,606 |
| 2012 | 190,822 (2010 election) | 28,623 |
| 2010 | 256,035 (2008 election) | 38,406 |
| 2008 | 196,217 (2006 election) | 29,433 |
| 2006 | 245,789 (2004 election) | 36,899 |
| 2004 | 188,028 (2002 election) | 28,204 |
See law: Wyoming Constitution, Article 3, Section 52(c)
Changes in number of required signatures
The following chart shows the change in number of required signatures (changing every two years) from 2004.
Geographic distribution
- See also: Distribution requirement
- In order to qualify an initiative for the ballot, 15 percent of qualified voters in two-thirds of the state's 23 counties must sign, according to Wyoming Amendment B (1998).
- Amendment B in 2008 sought unsuccessfully to amend the 1998 law to make Wyoming's distribution requirement based on legislative districts instead of on counties.
Filing deadlines
As soon as petition sponsors have received the petition form from the state, they have 18 months to collect signatures and file their petitions. If sufficient signatures have been gathered, the measure is presented to voters at the next general election after a legislative session has convened and adjourned.
For referendums, signatures must be submitted no later than 90 days after the adjournment of the legislature.
2026
- See also: Ballot measure petition deadlines and requirements, 2026
Petitions are due 18 months after an initiative petition is cleared to circulate. Petitions must be submitted before legislature convenes the legislative session of the target election year. Signatures for veto referendums must be submitted no later than 90 days after the adjournment of the legislature.
2024
Petitions are due 18 months after an initiative petition is cleared to circulate. Petitions must be submitted before legislature convenes the legislative session of the target election year. Signatures for veto referendums must be submitted no later than 90 days after the adjournment of the legislature.
2022
Petitions are due 18 months after an initiative petition is cleared to circulate. Petitions must be submitted before legislature convenes the legislative session of the target election year (February 14, 2022, for 2022 general election ballot measures). Signatures for veto referendums must be submitted no later than 90 days after the adjournment of the legislature.
2020
Petitions are due 18 months after an initiative petition is cleared to circulate.
2018
For 2018 initiatives, signature petitions were due on February 9, 2018.
2016
For 2016 initiatives, signature petitions were due on February 8, 2016.
2014
The filing deadline for initiatives was February 10, 2014 and 37,606 signatures were required.[1]
2012
The filing deadline to turn in signatures to qualify an initiated statute for the November 2012 ballot was February 13, 2012.[2]
2010
The filing deadline to turn in signatures to qualify an initiated statute for the November 2010 ballot was February 8, 2010.
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.
See also
- Ballot access requirements for political candidates in Wyoming
- Laws governing the initiative process in Wyoming
- List of Wyoming ballot measures
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
Footnotes
