GILLETTE, Wyoming – Additional training has been added to the pre-election program for volunteer poll watchers, according to an emailed statement from Wyoming Republicans.
According to an email sent by Wyoming National Committee member Marti Halverson to the Republican National Committee, state party organizers have offered additional training in response to a large number of first-time poll watchers signing up ahead of the Aug. 20 primary.
The training is scheduled for Wednesday, August 14th at 7 p.m. and is in addition to the trainings already scheduled for Thursday evening and Saturday morning. The training is open to anyone statewide and participation via Zoom is free.
In the email thread, Scott Clem, chairman of the Campbell County Republican Party, thanked all party members who expressed interest in volunteering. In a phone call, Clem also clarified that the role of the party’s poll watchers is simply to observe the election as it proceeds. They are not directly involved in handling ballots or other voting operations, as poll workers or poll workers would be.
State law requires poll watchers to be registered with their party and live in the district where the election is being held. The 2023 law also says observers can be removed if they disrupt the election process or otherwise challenge voters.
In addition, only one observer per party may work at a polling station unless a chairperson of the electoral court grants special permission. If permission is granted, one additional observer per party may be allowed if the location can accommodate several observers without disrupting the electoral process.
