Laramie County Clerk hosts voter event Saturday

The Laramie County Clerk’s office is inviting the public to “drop in” at the Laramie County Library on Saturday (Jan. 6) from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. to learn more about registering to vote and about requirements to run for office this year.

County Clerk Debra Lee said the event was scheduled following requests for more voter registration opportunities and public information on elections. The Cheyenne League of Women Voters will also participate in the event in the Cottonwood Room, on the first floor of the library.

During the event, Laramie county residents who meet the legal requirements for voter registration may fill out an application. Requirements for registration include U.S. citizenship, resident of Laramie County, and at least 18 years of age by the date of the election. Convicted felons must have had their voting rights restored. According to Lee, applicants must provide a valid government-issued ID establishing their eligibility to register, with a Wyoming driving license being the preferred document. If a person does not have a Wyoming driving license, other forms of ID may be accepted, including a Wyoming identification card, U.S. passport, military ID, or student ID.

People will also be able to update their registration with a new address if they have moved and to learn how to find election information on the County Clerk’s website. Information will also be available on restoration of voting rights, absentee voting, and the candidate filing process at the county level. Cheyenne LWV will have information about the upcoming 2018 Wyoming legislative session.

“Although the candidate filing period does not begin until May 17, candidates can announce their intention to run for office at any time and can start fundraising, but they need to be aware of their campaign finance reporting obligations. We’ve already had a number of potential candidates contact our office for information. The Saturday event provides an opportunity for candidates to get information and ask questions outside of normal business hours,” said Lee.

Lee explained that after the event, completed voter registration applications will be brought to the Clerk’s office where the information will be entered into the state’s voter database and crosschecked against several databases to confirm voting eligibility. Once that process has been completed, a voter will be registered. If there are questions about an application, we will contact the applicant,” said Lee.

Among the databases the state voter registration system crosschecks to confirm voter eligibility are the Social Security Administration and the Wyoming state agencies Division of Criminal Investigation, Vital Records, Board of Parole, and Department of Transportation.

Persons who have questions about voter registration or elections may call the Clerk’s election office at 633-4242 or visit the website at laramiecountyclerk.com/elections.aspx