Wyoming Governor challenges DOJ election monitoring conduct

Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon has raised concerns regarding what he described as “aggressive” and “irregular” conduct by Department of Justice (DOJ) election monitors during the state’s recent primary elections. Speaking at a State Canvassing Board meeting, Gordon stated that the federal presence felt unannounced and that the behavior of observers appeared to overstep the authority granted by Congress.

Laramie County Clerk Debra Lee reported that monitors arrived at a polling station without providing credentials upon request. According to Lee, the individuals asked questions regarding poll worker training and new election equipment, and requested to examine tabulators. The monitors also sought to interview voters to assess compliance with federal civil rights laws, a request that was denied by local officials.

In response to these concerns, Governor Gordon has requested that the Wyoming Attorney General investigate the nature of these visits. While Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray noted that the U.S. Attorney for the District of Wyoming was aware of the monitoring, the DOJ maintains that its initiative, which deployed over 75 personnel across five states, is intended to promote transparency and communication between observers and monitors.