“Not voting is not a protest. It is a surrender.” — Keith Ellison.
You probably received the nice letter with a form for requesting an absentee ballot, but only those who are already registered to vote were on the mailing list. If you weren’t registered to vote you probably didn’t get one!
Voting is a privilege. This year, even more than ever, it is crucial for people to vote. If you know of anyone who is not registered, could you please give them a little nudge?
Here is some information about registering to vote:
To register to vote in Wyoming you need to be a U.S. Citizen and have reached 18 years of age before or on the day of election in which you are voting: Primary Election is Aug. 18; General Election is Nov. 3.
You need to be a resident of Wyoming and the precinct in which you register. There is no minimum requirement for residency in Wyoming before being eligible to vote. If you live in Wyoming, you may register to vote. If you are currently registered in another state, then you must indicate that on the registration form so that your previous registration can be withdrawn.
If you registered to vote in Wyoming in the past, but you did not vote in the most recent general election [2018], your registration might need to be reactivated. Call 527-8620 or email voterinfo@parkcounty.us
1) In Wyoming, you may register to vote the day of election at the poll, if you choose to wait until then. But you might have to wait in line.
2) If you want to register to vote before the election, you may do so at the Park County Courthouse, located at 1002 Sheridan Ave., in Cody. The Elections Department is located in the courthouse between the County Clerk’s office and the Treasurer’s Office. (Most direct route is to enter through the south entrance and turn right.) There is no current mask-wearing requirement, and the office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The phone numbers listed on the Park County government website for information are Cody: (307) 527-8620; Powell (307) 754-8620; Toll Free: 1 (800) 786-2844 ext 8620.
If you live in Powell, you may register to vote at the Powell City Hall, 270 N Clark St., (307) 754-5106. If you live in Meeteetse, you may register to vote at the Meeteetse Town Hall, 910 Park Avenue, (307) 868-2278. Your completed forms will then be forwarded to the Elections Office in Cody.
3) If you want to obtain a form to fill out before registering at the courthouse or city hall, or get one to mail in, go to the Wyoming Secretary of State Web Page https://sos.wyo.gov/elections/state/registeringtovote.aspx
Notarizing is required: You may get your voter’s registration form notarized at the Elections Office, a UPS Store, the Cody Library, or perhaps your bank.
(Kelly Tamblyn at the library is available to notarize your form for no cost, but you will be charged for a copy if you need one. Call ahead, 527-1880; or after hours, call Kelly at 307-213-0143.) The library is currently open to the public 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Friday. (Kelly doesn’t always work on Fridays or Saturdays, but the library is now open Saturdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
Caution: Do not sign the form until a notary witnesses you signing it!
I.D. is required:
Wyoming drivers license, if you have been issued one.
Or, last 4 digits of SSN plus other form of ID.
Acceptable Identification If you do not have a Wyoming Driver’s License:
Any One of the below:
• U.S. Passport
• Out of State Driver’s License
• Military ID
• ID issued by local, state, or federal agency
• WY Student ID
Or Any Two of the below:
• Certificate of US citizenship or naturalization
• Draft Record
• Voter Registration Card from out-of-state
• Original or certified copy of birth certificate
• Any other form of ID issued by official agency
4) Registering to vote by mail:
a. Download and print the Wyoming Voter Registration Form https://sos.wyo.gov/Forms/Elections/General/VoterRegistrationForm.pdf
b. Fill out the information on the form but DO NOT SIGN until the notary public witnesses you doing so. If you have questions, don’t fill it out and the notary can help you.
c. Print a photocopy of your ID (may be scanned or photographed and then printed)
d. Get the form “notarized” (This means signed by a “notary” who will ensure the form is filled out correctly, verify your ID, and can answer questions. May cost up to $5.)
e. Place the notarized registration form and photocopy of ID in an envelope addressed to your local county clerk’s office.
f. Place a stamp on the envelope and send in the mail.
g. Follow up with a call to the county clerk’s office in 5-7 days if no notice is otherwise given to ensure your application was received.
5) Early voting is an option.
From July 2 through Aug. 17, you may register to vote and you may also cast your vote at the same time for the Primary at the Elections Office in the courthouse.
From Sept. 18 through Nov. 2, you may register to vote and may vote at the same time for the General Election at the Elections Office in the courthouse.
Be aware you may need to wait in line.
6) Absentee voting.
Once you are registered, you may request an absentee ballot by filling out a form. For details, please consult https://sos.wyo.gov/elections/state/absenteevoting.aspx
Also, voters may request an absentee ballot over the phone as long as nothing has changed on their voter registration, such as an address or party affiliation change. All absentee ballots must be received in the county clerk’s office no later than 7:00 p.m. on Election Day. Ballots arriving after the deadline will not be counted.
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