Park County woman encourages citizens to vote

CODY — Poor voting statistics in Park County and throughout Wyoming prompted Gail Symons of Sheridan to form Civics 307. And from that nonprofit, nonpartisan organization has sprung WY Vote, an initiative to encourage voter registration and participation.

“I don’t care how you vote; I care if you vote,” Symons said Monday at a Cody Country Chamber of Commerce luncheon in the Holiday Inn.

In Park County, about 70% of eligible citizens are registered, according to 2024 Primary Election Data. Of them, the participation by age group is roughly 40% for 18-24, 50% for 25-44, 63% for 45-64 and 80% for 65 and older.

Those numbers reveal two trends: “Turnout increased with age” and “the young people aren’t involved,” Symons observed, suggesting that the younger sector could be motivated if they became aware about the issues that are important to them and affected by elected officials. 

“Conversations are the key.”

“Civic engagement is a form of community support and building,” she added.

Informed by her mother, Symons said she learned about how the system operates and who makes the decisions. 

“Government is merely the way the community manages itself. It is us,” she said.

Some voters participate only when the top of the ticket is at issue, although the ballot contains many other levels. Some don’t vote because they feel their choices don’t matter. To counter those perceptions, Symons cited a state House race that was decided by two votes.

“It can make a significant difference,” she said. “Yes, your vote counts.”

Others say they lack information and don’t want to make the wrong choice, Symons continued. “We can reach them,” she said. 

After the filing deadline, WY Vote will invite every candidate to provide information such as job description, relevant experience, qualifications and education, and then post the responses on its website. She compared voting to employing.

“We’re hiring people to make decisions on our behalf,” Symons said. “Everyone on the ballot makes decisions that impact your life.”

People need to know that decisions will happen with or without their input, so “voting isn’t political, it’s civic,” she said. 

Symons encouraged the audience to translate the issues to individuals and make it personal.

“Register and vote. It’s in your own, selfish best interest,” Symons said. “If you don’t vote, no one else will know what you want for the future and your community.”

In Park County, like other counties in the state, many citizens vote only in the general election, “though overwhelmingly, the decisions are made in the primary,” she noted. 

And voters need to understand that the primary election, along with partisan candidates, can include nonpartisan ballot issues and municipal candidates.

“So show up and vote,” Symons implored.

This story was published on May 21, 2026.