Preparing the polls — Public voting machine test set for Aug. 3 as election prep continues
Weston County residents will have an opportunity to observe the testing of the county's election equipment before ballots are cast in the 2026 Primary Election as the Weston County Clerk's Office conducts a public test of the voting machines on Monday, Aug. 3.
According to a public notice issued by Amber Green, acting Weston County Clerk, the testing will begin at 10 a.m. Aug. 3 in the Weston County Commission board room. The test is required under Wyoming Statute 22-11-104(b)(iii) and is intended to verify that the county's voting equipment is functioning properly before Election Day.
The public test will verify that ballots are accurately read and counted, confirm the equipment is operating correctly and help ensure that the election system is prepared for the primary election, according to the notice.
Representatives of recognized political parties, candidates, members of the media and the general public are invited to attend and observe the testing process.
The notice states that the testing is intended to ensure "the integrity, transparency and accuracy of the election" and, if the process is not completed Monday, it will continue Tuesday, Aug. 4, immediately following the county commissioners meeting until finished.
The public testing comes amid heightened public interest in election administration in Weston County following recent turnover in the county clerk's office and increased scrutiny of election procedures leading up to the Aug. 18 primary election.
In a July 30 email, Weston County Republican Party Chair Kari Drost said members of the local GOP plan to attend the testing because confidence in election results begins with confidence in the equipment used to count ballots.
"The voting process begins with the voting machines," Drost said. "Personally, I want people to feel that their vote counts and that the election results in Weston County are accurate. Education and a completely open and transparent process help the people feel this level of confidence."
According to Drost, the public's interest in election oversight has grown significantly this year. She said the county Republican Party experienced record engagement related to the machine testing announcement and poll watcher recruitment.
"This year, the Weston County Republican Party forwarded the names of 27 volunteers to be Poll Watchers in the upcoming election," Drost said. "This is a far higher number of volunteers than we have ever had before."
Drost said poll watchers serve as silent observers inside polling locations and do not participate in the voting process or interfere with election workers. Their role is to observe election procedures and report concerns through established channels.
She noted that prospective poll watchers are vetted through their local Republican Party committee before being submitted to the Wyoming Republican Party, which provides training on Wyoming election statutes, procedures and best practices.
"I am very confident that the peoples' voices will be heard this election season," Drost said. "The people want an open and transparent government that is accountable to We the People."
In addition to machine testing, election preparations will continue throughout next week as the clerk's office conducts training for election judges.
Training sessions are scheduled each afternoon at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Aug. 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7.
Election judges are responsible for operating polling places, assisting voters, verifying voter eligibility, processing ballots and ensuring Wyoming election procedures are followed on Election Day. Training is conducted before each election to familiarize judges with election laws, voting equipment and polling place procedures.
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