Wyoming counties would compare hand counts after 2026 elections

County clerks would hand-count selected ballots and compare the results with electronic counts. The audits would cover ballots cast on election day in every Wyoming county during the 2026 primary and general elections. They would include one federal race, one statewide race, and every legislative race printed on the ballot. The secretary of state would select the federal and statewide races and could choose different races for each county. The county canvassing board could select additional races. Counties would examine as close as possible to 5% of election-day ballots by selecting electronic tabulating machines whose combined ballots reach that target. Each audit would occur after the 2026 primary and general elections and no later than nine days after the county canvass.

County clerks would report count differences or errors to the secretary of state, who would report the audit to a legislative committee. The reports would cover inconsistencies or errors between the electronic machine count and the hand-count audit in each county. The secretary of state would report the overall hand-count audit to the joint corporations, elections and political subdivisions interim committee. County clerks would report inconsistencies or errors no earlier than nine days after the county canvass. The secretary of state would report the audit by May 1, 2027.

County clerks would appoint audit boards to conduct the hand counts. Each audit board would have at least three qualified electors, with no more than two judges from the same political party. A judge of election could also serve on a counting board for the hand-count audit. Clerks could appoint as many audit boards as needed. The boards would count marks, undervotes and overvotes using the same instructions that apply to electronic equipment. Clerks would appoint the audit boards before the county canvass ends, and the judge exception would apply to the 2026 primary and general elections.