Wyoming voters would be able to apply for status as a permanent absentee voter under a proposed law that will be considered by the Legislature in 2017. The Legislature’s Joint Corporations, Elections and Political Subdivisions Committee voted Monday to forward such a bill to the full body. Under a permanent absentee designation, a voter would automatically be sent an absentee ballot instead of having to request one for each election. However, a voter could lose his or her permanent absentee status for one of several reasons stipulated in the bill. Fremont County Clerk Julie Freese said absentee voting saves her office time as the election nears, as it cuts down on paperwork and the number of people who vote early in person as well as on Election Day. “That is a big savings to us,” she said.
The change would also benefit voters, who wouldn’t have to contact the clerk’s office every election year.
Carbon County Clerk Gwynn Bartlett said in her county, 1,950 absentee ballots were requested for this year’s general election. “It’s really a convenience to the voter,” she said.
Full Article: Bill would let residents become “permanent absentee” voters | News | wyomingnews.com.