The 2024 Wyoming legislative session promises to be a busy and consequential one, with state lawmakers poised to consider a wide range of issues affecting the state’s economy, education, healthcare, and environment.
Key Issues
Education
- Funding for K-12 and higher education
- Teacher salaries and benefits
- School choice and accountability
Economy
- Taxation and revenue
- Economic diversification and job creation
- Infrastructure development
Healthcare
- Medicaid expansion
- Access to affordable healthcare
- Mental health services
Environment
- Climate change and energy policy
- Water resources and conservation
- Public lands and natural resource management
Expected Outcomes
The following are some of the potential outcomes of the 2024 legislative session:
- Increased funding for education: Lawmakers are expected to increase funding for K-12 and higher education, addressing concerns about teacher pay, school infrastructure, and college affordability.
- Tax cuts and economic incentives: The legislature may pursue tax cuts and other economic incentives to stimulate job creation and business investment.
- Medicaid expansion: There is a strong likelihood that Wyoming will expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, providing health coverage to an estimated 15,000 uninsured residents.
- Climate change and energy policy: The legislature is likely to consider measures to address climate change and promote renewable energy development.
- Protection of public lands: Lawmakers may enact legislation to protect public lands and natural resources, including measures to manage oil and gas development.
Committee Assignments
The following is a list of the key legislative committees and their chairs:
Committee | Chair |
---|---|
Appropriations | Rep. Bob Nicholas |
Education | Sen. Chris Rothfuss |
Health and Human Services | Rep. Mike Seekins |
Judiciary | Sen. Dan Dockstader |
Revenue | Sen. Ogden Driskill |
Public Participation
The public is encouraged to participate in the legislative process by attending committee hearings, submitting testimony, and contacting their elected representatives. The Wyoming Legislature website provides information on how to participate: https://legisweb.state.wy.us/
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When is the 2024 legislative session?
The 2024 legislative session will begin on January 14, 2024, and is expected to end in March.
How can I follow the legislative session?
The Wyoming Legislature website provides live video streaming of committee hearings and floor debates, as well as recordings of past proceedings: https://legisweb.state.wy.us/
How do I contact my elected representative?
Contact information for state legislators is available on the Wyoming Legislature website: https://legisweb.state.wy.us/ols/member/contact.aspx
2024 Wyoming Primary Election
The Wyoming primary election is scheduled to take place on August 13, 2024. It will be a closed primary, meaning that only registered Republicans and Democrats can vote in the races for their respective parties’ nominees.
Republican Candidates:
- Mark Gordon (incumbent governor)
- Harriet Hageman (former U.S. representative)
- Anthony Bouchard (state senator)
Democratic Candidates:
- Mary Throne (former state legislator)
- Bridgid McCarthy (Cheyenne mayor)
- Richard Grayson (businessman)
The primary election will determine the nominees for governor, U.S. House of Representatives, and other state and local offices. The general election will be held on November 5, 2024.
2024 Wyoming General Election
Candidates:
-
Governor:
- Republican incumbent Mark Gordon (open)
- Democratic nominee Steven Freudenthal
-
U.S. House of Representatives:
- Wyoming’s at-large congressional district:
- Republican incumbent Liz Cheney (incumbent out)
- Democratic nominee TBD
- Wyoming’s at-large congressional district:
Key Issues:
- Economic recovery post-COVID-19
- Energy industry development
- Healthcare access
- Education funding
- Gun rights
Timeline:
- Primary election: August 20, 2024
- General election: November 5, 2024
2024 Wyoming Gubernatorial Election
The 2024 Wyoming gubernatorial election will be held on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, to elect the governor of Wyoming. Incumbent Republican Governor Mark Gordon has not yet announced whether he will seek re-election. The Democratic and Republican primaries will be held on August 26, 2024. The general election will be held on November 5, 2024.
2024 Wyoming State Senate Elections
The 2024 Wyoming State Senate elections will be held on November 5, 2024. All 30 seats in the Wyoming State Senate will be up for election. The primary election will be held on August 20, 2024.
The filing deadline for candidates is May 27, 2024. The following incumbents have announced their intention to seek reelection:
- R-Casper, Don B. Bator
- R-Cheyenne, Anthony Bouchard
- R-Cheyenne, Bo Biteman
- R-Cody, Dan Dockstader
- R-Evanston, Tara Nethercott
- R-Gillette, Dave Kinskey
- R-Green River, Larry Hicks
- R-Jackson, Wendy Schuler
- R-Laramie, Chris Rothfuss
- R-Newcastle, Fred Baldwin
- R-Pinedale, Ogden Driskill
- R-Riverton, Drew Perkins
- R-Rock Springs, Michael Von Flatern
- R-Sheridan, R.J. Kost
- R-Torrington, Lynn Hutchings
- R-Worland, Stephan Pappas
The following incumbents have announced that they will not seek reelection:
- R-Buffalo, Drew Perkins
- R-Casper, Tim Salazar
- R-Cheyenne, Dave Kinskey
- R-Cody, Bo Biteman
- R-Evanston, Tara Nethercott
- R-Gillette, Dave Kinskey
- R-Green River, Larry Hicks
- R-Jackson, Wendy Schuler
- R-Laramie, Chris Rothfuss
- R-Newcastle, Fred Baldwin
- R-Pinedale, Ogden Driskill
- R-Riverton, Drew Perkins
- R-Rock Springs, Michael Von Flatern
- R-Sheridan, R.J. Kost
- R-Torrington, Lynn Hutchings
2024 Wyoming State House Elections
In 2024, all 60 seats in the Wyoming State House of Representatives will be up for election. The filing period for candidates begins on May 2, 2024, and the primary election will be held on August 20, 2024. The general election will be held on November 5, 2024.
Currently, the Republican Party holds a majority in the State House, with 51 seats. The Democratic Party holds 9 seats. The Libertarian Party and the Constitution Party each hold one seat.
The 2024 elections will be the first held after the 2020 redistricting process. The new district lines are expected to favor the Republican Party, but it is too early to say with certainty what the outcome of the elections will be.
2024 Wyoming County Elections
Upcoming Elections:
In 2024, Wyoming County will hold elections for the following positions:
- County Commissioner (three seats)
- County Clerk
- County Treasurer
- County Attorney
- County Sheriff
- County Coroner
Candidate Filings:
The filing period for candidates will begin on February 1, 2024, and end on March 1, 2024.
Election Dates:
The primary election will be held on August 13, 2024. The general election will be held on November 5, 2024.
Important Deadlines:
- Voter registration deadline: July 15, 2024
- Absentee ballot request deadline: October 28, 2024
- Absentee ballot return deadline: November 5, 2024 (by 7:00 PM)
Contact Information:
For more information about the 2024 Wyoming County elections, please contact the Wyoming County Clerk’s Office at (307) 532-2300.
2024 Wyoming Municipal Elections
- Municipal elections in Wyoming are held on the first Tuesday of November in even-numbered years.
- The 2024 municipal elections will be held on 6 November, 2024.
- Elections will be held in municipalities across the state, including the cities of Cheyenne, Casper, Gillette, Laramie, and Rock Springs.
- Offices that will be up for election include mayor, city council, and other municipal positions.
2024 Wyoming Ballot Initiatives
Wyoming voters will consider several ballot initiatives in the 2024 election. These include measures related to:
- Medical Marijuana: Legalizing the recreational use of marijuana for adults over 21.
- Income Tax: Creating a graduated income tax system with higher rates for high-income earners.
- Ranked-Choice Voting: Implementing a ranked-choice voting system for all state and federal elections.
- Term Limits: Establishing term limits for state legislators and the governor.
- Public Education: Increasing funding for public education and allowing parents to choose alternative educational methods.
2024 Wyoming Election Results
In the 2024 Wyoming election, Republican incumbent Governor Mark Gordon was re-elected to a second term, defeating Democratic challenger Michael Gierau by a margin of 62% to 38%. The Wyoming Legislature also remained under Republican control, with Republicans retaining supermajorities in both the Wyoming Senate and Wyoming House of Representatives.
In the United States House of Representatives election, Republican incumbent Representative Liz Cheney was re-elected to a fifth term, defeating Democratic challenger Lynette GreyBull by a margin of 59% to 41%.