Driskill asks public to get involved with redistricting, changes to voting laws

Senator Ogden Driskill is urging residents who have an interest in redistricting or changes to how Wyomingites go to the polls to tune in to next week’s meeting of the Joint Corporations Committee. Those who wish to testify may do so, either by attending in person, sending a comment in writing or registering to appear online at least 24 hours in advance.

Day one of the meeting begins at 9 a.m. with a discussion of state campaign finance rules, absentee polling places, election methods (including review of 2021 legislation to establish a primary runoff process and draft 2021 legislation to implement ranked choice voting) and modifications to the procedures for filling vacancies in some federal and state offices.

The afternoon will include a discussion of redistricting law from a national perspective. Says Driskill, it will be an informational session on why Wyoming does not have one senator and one representative per county, the start of the redistricting process and how federal laws impact the process.

“This first day is critical for constituents that have an interest in runoff elections, primary changes and the possibility of ranked voting or other possible changes to how we do primary elections,” Driskill says.

“It will be the first informational session and could result in possible bill drafts to change how we handle primary elections and if we need additional changes. Also discussion on campaign finance.”

Go to wyoleg.gov to register. Navigate to the committee meetings tab, then click on “Corporations, Elections and Political Subdivisions” and click on the testify tab to enter your information.

You can also find the agenda and all meeting materials at this link, and a tab to livestream the meeting.

“I would appreciate your input,” Driskill says. “These are weighty topics that have huge impacts on Wyoming and how the conduct elections and redistrict.”

Final redistricting is expected to begin in late August or shortly after, according to the senator.

Decisions are currently also being made as to whether to hold a special session in July, says Driskill, and the discussion centers around whether one is needed and what subjects would be brought up.

“The federal government has placed another $500-plus million for the state to deal with COVID-19 and other related problems. There will be another $500-600 million coming next year to the state,” he says.

“We will have until 2024 to spend the money. The legislature is mandated by the constitution to direct spending of money. We are deciding if we need to have a special session to deal with the issues or we can wait until the budget session to deal with the issues.”

The state’s financial problems may have improved since the winter session, but the education side of the budget is still not balanced, he says.

“It is going to be an interesting summer and fall with the budget session and redistricting coming up,” he says. “Many thanks to all for the input to date – I look forward to your thoughts on these tough issues. I appreciate the ability to work with you to have serious input from our district.”