On behalf of the Converse County Clerk’s office, I would like to assure the public that conducting elections securely, safely and with the utmost of integrity is our top priority. We, along with every other Wyoming County, have been working very closely with the Wyoming Secretary of State’s office to ensure that the 2020 Election is secure and accurate while maintaining the health and safety of all voters and election workers.
It is important to note that nothing has changed in this election cycle. Unfortunately, there is misinformation circulating as it relates to the upcoming elections, which has caused misunderstandings of the election process. Per the Wyoming Secretary of State’s Office, Wyoming cannot deliver a mail-in ballot election (in the sense that all registered voters are mailed a ballot) without an amendment to our State Constitution which requires a super majority of votes of all Wyoming voters in a General Election. Wyoming has and will continue to conduct elections under our Constitutional and traditional polling place method which allows for “no excuse” absentee voting.
As always, any registered voter may request to have an absentee ballot be sent to them, regardless of whether that voter is able to vote in person or not. Before a ballot can be sent, the voter must provide all the statutorily required information to the Clerk’s office. Once the information submitted is verified for accuracy, the request is accepted, and the voter is marked “eligible” to receive an absentee ballot by mail. Please note that the voter must initiate the request every election year; no one automatically receives an absentee ballot without first making the request and being determined eligible each election year. Voter Registration applications and Absentee Ballot Request forms are available in the County Clerk’s office as well as on the County’s website at https://www.conversecounty.org/187/Elections.
Recently, the Secretary of State’s Office, in coordination with all Wyoming County Clerks, sent a mailer to remind voters of their options as it pertains to participating safely in the upcoming 2020 elections amid concerns with the COVID-19 pandemic. You probably received one of these mailers already. The mailer also has an "absentee request" form that can be torn off and mailed directly to each voter’s respective county clerk’s office using the return envelope provided with the mailer (don’t forget to add postage).
Voters who choose to vote in-person will have access to a polling place that will have enough space to accommodate social distancing. Registration and Election Judges will be equipped with all the necessary Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) as recommended by the CDC, as well as hand sanitizer for voters and appropriate signage to help voters vote safely at the polls.
As with any election, all Converse County voters are encouraged to select the voting method – either absentee or in-person at the polls - which allows them to participate in the 2020 elections in the way they choose. If you would like more information about where to vote on Election Day; have further questions about absentee voting; or any other questions about elections, please feel free to contact the Clerk’s office at 307-358-2244, or visit the link below.
Thank you!
Karen Rimmer
Converse County Clerk
