Wyoming lawmakers nix GOP-backed party registration bill

A Wyoming legislative committee made up entirely of Republicans has defeated a voter registration measure the state GOP identified as its top-priority bill this year.

The bill would have prevented voters from changing party affiliation during the roughly three months before a primary.

The goal was to discourage people from switching parties so they are able to vote in another party’s primary. Republicans complain that Democratic crossover unfairly influences Wyoming’s GOP primaries.

All five members of the Senate Corporations, Elections and Political Subdivisions Committee opposed or had reservations about the bill, though two said they wanted the full Senate to get a chance to debate the measure.

The committee voted 3-2 against the bill Tuesday.

Top state Republican officials, including the party chairman and national committeewoman, supported the bill.