Preparing the polls Election prep continues this week — training scheduled Aug. 4, 5 and 6

Weston County residents had an opportunity today to observe the county's election equipment before ballots are cast in the 2026 Primary Election as the Weston County Clerk's Office conducted a public test of the voting machines.

The testing began at 10 a.m. Monday, 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.

According to Walter Sprague, the News Letter Journal’s videographer, all voting machines successfully passed testing Monday. After the successful test, the machines were sealed and secured until they are used for the Aug. 18 primary election.

The public test verified that ballots are accurately read and counted, confirmed that the equipment is operating correctly and ensured that the election system is prepared for the primary election.

Representatives of recognized political parties, candidates, members of the media and the general public were invited to attend and observe the testing process.

The testing is intended to ensure "the integrity, transparency and accuracy of the election." If the process had not been completed Monday, it would have continued into Tuesday, Aug. 4, immediately following the county commissioners meeting until finished. However, all equipment testing was completed Monday.

The public testing came amid heightened public interest in election administration in Weston County after a recent turnover in the county clerk's office and increased scrutiny of election procedures leading up to next week's primary election.

In a July 30 email, Weston County Republican Party Chair Kari Drost said members of the local Republican Party planned 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 helps 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 continue this week as the clerk's office conducts training for election judges.

Election Judge training and certification 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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