Federal monitors to return to county, but must stay outside polling places
CHEYENNE — Federal election monitors will return to Laramie County during the general election next week, but unlike during the primaries, they will not be allowed inside polling places.
Instead, they will be required to remain 100 yards from the polls, according to Laramie County Clerk Debra Lee, in keeping with an Oct. 16 opinion from Wyoming Attorney General Keith Kautz to Laramie County Attorney Mark Voss.
“In the absence of a court order, settlement agreement or consent decree, Wyoming County Clerks and their election judges not only have the authority to exclude the general public, including DOJ election monitors ... our law requires that they do so,” according to the opinion, which was requested by Lee’s office.
“Access to the voting area is restricted under (state statute),” the opinion continues. “That provision states: To protect the privacy of the voter, voting booths and voting machines shall be kept clear of all persons except voters marking ballots and election officials discharging their duties.”
On Tuesday, Lee confirmed via press release that the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division has notified her office that federal election monitors will again be deployed to Wyoming next week. Lee said the Wyoming attorney general’s opinion, however, clarifies that only individuals specifically authorized by state statute are permitted in polling places during an election.
Permitted individuals include voters, election staff and poll watchers, whose names are certified to the county clerk in advance of the election by their political parties to observe registration and turnout. The Oct. 16 attorney general’s opinion confirms the supremacy established in the U.S. Constitution that state law controls elections, unless expressly preempted by federal law.
In a virtual meeting with Lee and other county officials on Monday, DOJ representatives said they had received the attorney general’s opinion and would conduct observations and interviews only with voters who agree to be interviewed, outside the 100-yard restricted boundary around polling places, as required by state law.
Monitors will identify themselves to voters and wear official badges issued by the clerk’s office.
“We appreciate the DOJ's advance communication and the opportunity to discuss its plans before Election Day. That coordination will help us prepare our staff and provide voters with a safe and smooth voting experience,” Lee said in the release. “It was welcome news that the monitors dispatched to Laramie County during the Primary Election did not identify any concerns regarding our compliance with the federal statutes.”
During the primary election, only Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray was adequately notified in advance of the federal monitors’ planned visit.
Lee added that although DOJ election monitoring for compliance with civil and voting rights laws is common in many parts of the country, it is a unique experience for Wyoming.
Former senior staff of the Wyoming Secretary of State’s Office contacted by Lee said they had no recollection of DOJ monitors visiting Wyoming polls in at least 40 years, if ever.
“We have a game plan now. Our office is finalizing preparations for the monitors’ arrival, including briefings for poll workers and election staff, and meetings with the Sheriff’s office and other local and state security partners,” Lee said. “We are committed to following Wyoming law and protecting the rights of our citizens to vote privately, safely, securely, and without disruption or interference.”
This story was published on Oct. 28, 2026.
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