Laws governing local ballot measures in Wyoming

Laws Governing Local Ballot Measures

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A guide to local ballot initiatives

No Wyoming local governments have an initiative and referendum process for local ballot measures.

This article sets out the laws governing local ballot measures in Wyoming. It explains:

• Which local units of government make the initiative process available to residents.
• How and whether local units of government, including school districts, can refer local ballot measures (such as school bond propositions) to the ballot.
• An overview of laws governing local recall elections.

Types of local government

According to a 2022 study from the U.S. Census Bureau, this state's local governments consist of 23 counties, 99 cities, towns, and villages, and 643 special districts.

School districts

See also: School bond and tax elections in Wyoming

Wyoming has three different kinds of school finance elections for issuing bonds, creating or repaying building funds, or instituting special taxes for adult education programs. In Wyoming, bonds are only allowed for capital improvements, renovations, or the construction of school facilities. They cannot be used to retire debt or pay other obligations. Wyoming also requires school districts to hold an election if they wish to issue a new tax (up to two and a half million) to help create new adult education programs. Building funds can be created for school districts on voter approval, provided that a certain minimum amount of funding is raised across the specified number of years.

Local recall rules

The recall of local elected government officials in Wyoming is governed by Wyo. Stat. §15-4-110. This statute applies to "cities and charter counties whether or not they have adopted recall provisions."

For additional detail, see: Laws governing recall in Wyoming

Initiative process availability

There are no local units of government in Wyoming that make the initiative process available. There is a state prescribed process for local initiative and referendum for cities with a commission form of government, but, at present, there are no such cities in Wyoming.

Authority

Ballot Law Portal

Laws Governing Ballot Measures

Constitution

The Wyoming Constitution makes no reference to local initiative and referendum.

Statutes

Wyoming Statutes 22-23-1001 gives cities with the commission form of government the power to enact ordinances through initiative and referendum.

Initiative process features

Local I&R Laws in the 50 States

Source: Local Ballot Initiatives: How citizens change laws with clipboards, conversations, and campaigns

Wyoming Statutes Title 22, Chapter 23, Article 10 describes the initiative and referendum process which is allowed in commission cities.

Commission City Initiative Process   Subject matter restrictions Municipal pensions controlled by the Board of the statewide Wyoming Retirement System and are not subject to I&R. (Wyoming Statutes 9-3-403) Petition text approval There is no process for approval prior to circulation of the petition. Signatures required Whether your petition is an initiative or a referendum, you need signatures from 10% of the qualified electors registered in the city or town. Circulation For initiatives: you have 10 months from the signing date of the first signature to circulate your petition. (Wyoming Statutes § 22-23-1001) For referendums: you have 20 days from the publication of the ordinance in question to circulate your petition. (Wyoming Statutes § 22-23-1005) Petition appearance and content The petition shall contain the proposed or sought to be repealed ordinance, the signatures and residence addresses of electors signing the petition, and the date of their signing the petition. Scheduling an election and adoption of measure Approval for your petition follows an indirect process. Initiatives or referendums are either adopted within 20 days by the governing body or submitted to a vote of the electors at a special election to be held after 20 but within 60 days of rejection by the governing body. The petition may also be submitted at a general election if it occurs within 70 days or at primary if it occurs within 110 days. A simple majority determines the outcome of the election. (Wyoming Statutes § 22-23-1003 and § 22-23-1007)

Initiative process in the top 10 most populated cities

There are no local units of government in Wyoming that make the initiative process available.

External links

• Research document of Wyoming local I&R laws
• Municipal League of Wyoming