Help us improve in just 2 minutes—share your thoughts in our reader survey.

Wyoming Secretary of State election, 2018 (August 21 Republican primary)

From Ballotpedia
Jump to: navigation, search


2022
2014
Wyoming Secretary of State
Ballotpedia Election Coverage Badge.png
Democratic primary
Republican primary
General election
Election details
Filing deadline: June 1, 2018
Primary: August 21, 2018
General: November 6, 2018

Pre-election incumbent(s):
Edward Buchanan (Republican)
How to vote
Poll times: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Voting in Wyoming
Ballotpedia analysis
Federal and state primary competitiveness
State executive elections in 2018
Impact of term limits in 2018
State government trifectas
State government triplexes
Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2018
Wyoming
executive elections
Governor

Secretary of State
Treasurer
Auditor
Superintendent of Public Instruction

A Republican Party primary election took place on August 21, 2018, in Wyoming to determine which candidate would run as the party's nominee in the state's November 6, 2018, secretary of state election.



For more information about secretary of state elections in 2018, click here.

SETTING THE STAGE
  • Heading into the 2018 election, the sitting secretary of state was Ed Murray (R), who was first elected in 2014.
  • Wyoming was under a Republican trifecta. It had held this status since Gov. Matt Mead (R) took office in 2011. Wyoming was also a Republican triplex.
  • Wyoming was won by the Republican candidate in each of the five presidential elections between 2000 and 2016. The widest margin of victory was Donald Trump's 46 percent margin in 2016, while the narrowest was John McCain's 32 percent margin in 2008.
  • Candidates and election results

    Incumbent Edward Buchanan advanced from the Republican primary for Wyoming Secretary of State on August 21, 2018.

    Republican primary election

    Republican primary for Wyoming Secretary of State

    Candidate
    %
    Votes
    Image of Edward Buchanan
    Edward Buchanan
     
    100.0
     
    94,603

    Total votes: 94,603
    Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
    If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

    Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

    Context of the 2018 election

    Past elections

    2014

    See also: Wyoming secretary of state election, 2014

    In the 2014 Republican primary, Ed Murray defeated Edward Buchanan, Pete Illoway, and Clark Stith by a 1.9 percent margin.[1]

    Wyoming Secretary of State Republican Primary, 2014
    Candidate Vote % Votes
    Green check mark transparent.pngEd Murrary 36.8% 32,944
    Edward Buchanan 34.9% 31,312
    Pete Illoway 18.5% 16,596
    Clark Stith 9.5% 8,511
    Write-in votes 0.3% 274
    Total Votes 89,637
    Election results via Wyoming Secretary of State.


    Voter information

    How the primary works

    A primary election is an election in which registered voters select a candidate that they believe should be a political party's candidate for elected office to run in the general election. They are also used to choose convention delegates and party leaders. Primaries are state-level and local-level elections that take place prior to a general election. Wyoming utilizes a closed primary process.[2][3]

    For information about which offices are nominated via primary election, see this article.

    Poll times

    In Wyoming, all polling places are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mountain Time. An individual who is in line at the time polls close must be allowed to vote.[4]

    Registration requirements

    Check your voter information here.

    To vote in Wyoming, one must be a United States citizen, a resident of Wyoming, at least 18 years of age, not have been declared mentally incompetent by a court, and not convicted of a felony unless pardoned or otherwise had their rights restored.[5][6]

    The registration deadline is 14 days before the election, but voters may also register and vote on the same day during the absentee voting period or on election day. There are three ways to register to vote in Wyoming: in person at the office of the county or town clerk, by mail the by submitting a completed application form to the county clerk, or at the polls on Election Day. A voter must provide documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote.[5][3]

    Automatic registration

    Wyoming does not practice automatic voter registration.[7]

    Online registration

    See also: Online voter registration

    Wyoming does not permit online voter registration.[7]

    Same-day registration

    Wyoming allows same-day voter registration.[3]

    Residency requirements

    To register to vote in Wyoming, a voter must be a resident of a precinct in the state for not less than 30 days before the election.[3][8]

    Verification of citizenship

    See also: Laws permitting noncitizens to vote in the United States

    Wyoming requires voters to provide proof of citizenship. Eligible documents are state and tribal IDs that do not indicate the individual is not a U.S. citizen, passports, certificates of citizenship or naturalization, a selective service registration acknowledgement card, documentation of a birth abroad issued by the State Department, or an original or certified copy of a birth certificate.[3][6]

    Voter ID requirements

    Wyoming requires voters to present identification when voting. Generally, voters are required to present a photo ID, but there are two exceptions to that requirement that expire in 2029.

    The following list of accepted ID was current as of June 2025. Click here for the Wyoming Secretary of State's page on accepted ID to ensure you have the most current information.[3][9]

    • WY Driver's License or ID Card
    • Tribal ID Card
    • US Passport
    • US Military Card
    • DL or ID Card from Another State
    • University of Wyoming Student ID
    • Wyoming Community College Student ID
    • Wyoming Public School Student ID
    • Valid Medicare Insurance Card*
    • Valid Medicaid Insurance Card*
    • Valid Wyoming Concealed Firearm Permit

    *Medicare and Medicaid insurance cards will no longer be an acceptable form of identification for voting purposes after December 31st, 2029.[10]

    Early voting

    Wyoming permits early voting. Learn more by contacting the appropriate county clerk.

    Early voting permits citizens to cast ballots in person at a polling place prior to an election. In states that permit no-excuse early voting, a voter does not have to provide an excuse for being unable to vote on Election Day. States that allow voters to cast no-excuse absentee/mail-in ballots in person are counted as no-excuse early voting states.

    Forty-seven states and the District of Columbia permit no-excuse early voting.

    Absentee voting

    All voters are eligible to vote absentee in Wyoming. There are no special eligibility requirements for voting absentee.[11]

    No specific deadline is noted for absentee ballot applications. A completed absentee ballot must be received by election officials by 7 p.m. on Election Day.[11]


    State overview

    Partisan control

    This section details the partisan control of federal and state positions in Wyoming heading into the 2018 elections.

    Congressional delegation

    State executives

    State legislature

    • Republicans controlled both chambers of the Wyoming State Legislature. They had a 51-9 majority in the state House and a 27-3 majority in the state Senate.

    Trifecta status

    2018 elections

    See also: Wyoming elections, 2018

    Wyoming held elections for the following positions in 2018:

    Demographics

    Demographic data for Wyoming
     WyomingU.S.
    Total population:586,555316,515,021
    Land area (sq mi):97,0933,531,905
    Race and ethnicity**
    White:91%73.6%
    Black/African American:1.1%12.6%
    Asian:0.9%5.1%
    Native American:2.2%0.8%
    Pacific Islander:0.1%0.2%
    Two or more:2.7%3%
    Hispanic/Latino:9.6%17.1%
    Education
    High school graduation rate:92.3%86.7%
    College graduation rate:25.7%29.8%
    Income
    Median household income:$58,840$53,889
    Persons below poverty level:12.7%11.3%
    Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015)
    Click here for more information on the 2020 census and here for more on its impact on the redistricting process in Wyoming.
    **Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here.

    As of July 2017, Wyoming's three largest cities were Cheyenne (pop. est. 64,000), Casper (pop. est. 58,000), and Laramie (pop. est. 32,000).[12]

    State election history

    This section provides an overview of federal and state elections in Wyoming from 2000 to 2016. All data comes from the Wyoming Secretary of State.

    Historical elections

    Presidential elections, 2000-2016

    Election results (President of the United States), Wyoming 2000-2016
    Year First-place candidate First-place candidate votes (%) Second-place candidate Second-place candidate votes (%) Margin of victory (%)
    2016 Republican Party Donald Trump 68.2% Democratic Party Hillary Clinton 21.9% 46.3%
    2012 Republican Party Mitt Romney 68.6% Democratic Party Barack Obama 27.8% 40.8%
    2008 Republican Party John McCain 64.8% Democratic Party Barack Obama 32.5% 32.3%
    2004 Republican Party George W. Bush 68.9% Democratic Party John Kerry 29.1% 39.8%
    2000 Republican Party George W. Bush 67.8% Democratic Party Al Gore 27.7% 40.1%

    U.S. Senate elections, 2000-2016

    This chart shows the results of U.S. Senate races in Wyoming from 2000 to 2016. Every state has two Senate seats, and each seat goes up for election every six years. The terms of the seats are staggered so that roughly one-third of the seats are up every two years.

    Election results (U.S. Senator), Wyoming 2000-2016
    Year First-place candidate First-place candidate votes (%) Second-place candidate Second-place candidate votes (%) Margin of victory (%)
    2014 Republican Party Mike Enzi 72.2% Democratic Party Charlie Hardy 17.5% 54.7%
    2012 Republican Party John Barasso 75.9% Democratic Party Tim Chesnut 21.6% 54.3%
    2008 Republican Party Mike Enzi 75.6% Democratic Party Chris Rothfuss 24.3% 51.3%
    2008 (special election) Republican Party John Barasso 73.4% Democratic Party Nick Carter 26.5% 46.9%
    2006 Republican Party Craig Thomas 70.0% Democratic Party Dale Groutage 29.9% 40.1%
    2002 Republican Party Mike Enzi 73.0% Democratic Party Joyce Corcoran 27.0% 46.0%
    2000 Republican Party Craig Thomas 73.8% Democratic Party Mel Logan 22.0% 51.8%

    Gubernatorial elections, 2000-2016

    This chart shows the results of the four gubernatorial elections held between 2000 and 2016. Gubernatorial elections are held every four years in Wyoming.

    Election results (U.S. Senator), Wyoming 2000-2016
    Year First-place candidate First-place candidate votes (%) Second-place candidate Second-place candidate votes (%) Margin of victory (%)
    2014 Republican Party Matt Mead 58.3% Democratic Party Pete Gosar 26.7% 31.6%
    2010 Republican Party Matt Mead 65.7% Democratic Party Leslie Petersen 22.9% 42.8%
    2006 Democratic Party Dave Freudenthal 70.0% Republican Party Ray Hunkins 30.0% 40.0%
    2002 Democratic Party Dave Freudenthal 47.9% Republican Party Eli Bebout 47.9% 2.1%

    Congressional delegation, 2000-2016

    This chart shows the number of Democrats and Republicans who were elected to represent Wyoming in the U.S. House from 2000 to 2016. Elections for U.S. House seats are held every two years.

    Congressional delegation, Wyoming 2000-2016
    Year Republicans Republicans (%) Democrats Democrats (%) Balance of power
    2016 Republican Party 1 100% Democratic Party 0 0.0% R+1
    2014 Republican Party 1 100% Democratic Party 0 0.0% R+1
    2012 Republican Party 1 100% Democratic Party 0 0.0% R+1
    2010 Republican Party 1 100% Democratic Party 0 0.0% R+1
    2008 Republican Party 1 100% Democratic Party 0 0.0% R+1
    2006 Republican Party 1 100% Democratic Party 0 0.0% R+1
    2004 Republican Party 1 100% Democratic Party 0 0.0% R+1
    2002 Republican Party 1 100% Democratic Party 0 0.0% R+1
    2000 Republican Party 1 100% Democratic Party 0 0.0% R+1

    Trifectas, 1992-2017

    A state government trifecta occurs when one party controls both chambers of the state legislature and the governor's office.

    Wyoming Party Control: 1992-2024
    No Democratic trifectas  •  Twenty-two years of Republican trifectas
    Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.

    Year 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
    Governor D D D R R R R R R R R D D D D D D D D R R R R R R R R R R R R R R
    Senate R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R
    House R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R


    Pivot Counties

    See also: Pivot Counties by state

    There are no Pivot Counties in Wyoming. Pivot Counties are counties that voted for Barack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012 and for Donald Trump (R) in 2016. Altogether, the nation had 206 Pivot Counties, with most being concentrated in upper midwestern and northeastern states.

    In the 2016 presidential election, Donald Trump (R) won Wyoming with 68.2 percent of the vote. Hillary Clinton (D) received 21.9 percent. In presidential elections between 1900 and 2016, Wyoming cast votes for the winning presidential candidate 76.7 percent of the time. In that same time frame, Wyoming supported Republican candidates more often than Democratic candidates, 76.7 to 23.3 percent. The state favored Republicans in every presidential election between 2000 and 2016.

    Presidential results by legislative district

    The following table details results of the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections by state House districts in Wyoming. Click [show] to expand the table. The "Obama," "Romney," "Clinton," and "Trump" columns describe the percent of the vote each presidential candidate received in the district. The "2012 Margin" and "2016 Margin" columns describe the margin of victory between the two presidential candidates in those years. The "Party Control" column notes which party held that seat heading into the 2018 general election. Data on the results of the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections broken down by state legislative districts was compiled by Daily Kos.[13][14]

    In 2012, Barack Obama (D) won five out of 60 state House districts in Wyoming with an average margin of victory of 13.7 points. In 2016, Hillary Clinton (D) won three out of 60 state House districts in Wyoming with an average margin of victory of 24.1 points.
    In 2012, Mitt Romney (R) won 55 out of 60 state House districts in Wyoming with an average margin of victory of 45 points. In 2016, Donald Trump (R) won 57 out of 60 state House districts in Wyoming with an average margin of victory of 51 points. Trump won seven districts controlled by Democrats heading into the 2018 elections.


    See also

    Wyoming government:

    Elections:

    Ballotpedia exclusives:

    External links

    Footnotes

    1. Wyoming Secretary of State, "Statewide Candidates Official Summary - Wyoming Primary Election, August 19, 2014," accessed September 26, 2017
    2. National Conference of State Legislatures, "State Primary Election Types," accessed October 7, 2024
    3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Wyoming Secretary of State, "Welcome to the FAQs," accessed June 2, 2025 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "faq" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "faq" defined multiple times with different content
    4. Wyoming Secretary of State, "Election Frequently Asked Questions, General Voting information," accessed May 30, 2025
    5. 5.0 5.1 Wyoming Secretary of State, "Voting," accessed May 30, 2025
    6. 6.0 6.1 Wyoming Legislature, "Legislation 2025, HB0156 - Proof of voter residency-registration qualifications." accessed May 28, 2025
    7. 7.0 7.1 NCSL, "State Profiles: Elections," accessed May 30, 2025
    8. Wyoming Legislature, "Legislation 2025, HB0156 - Proof of voter residency-registration qualifications." accessed May 28, 2025
    9. Wyoming Legislature, "HB0075 - Voter identification," accessed May 2, 2023
    10. Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
    11. 11.0 11.1 Wyoming Secretary of State, "Absentee Voting Information," accessed June 2, 2025
    12. Wyoming Demographics by Cubit, "Wyoming Cities by Population," accessed September 6, 2018
    13. Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' statewide election results by congressional and legislative districts," July 9, 2013
    14. Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' 2016 presidential results for congressional and legislative districts," February 6, 2017