Don’t forget to vote in November

Submitted by Phyllis Roseberry
Posted 10/1/24

Dear editor:

A representative democracy relies on active participation!

Did you know only about 66% of Park County eligible voters have registered to vote?  And that only 54% of …

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Don’t forget to vote in November

Posted

Dear editor:

A representative democracy relies on active participation!

Did you know only about 66% of Park County eligible voters have registered to vote?  And that only 54% of registered Republicans and 36% of registered Democrats in Park County voted in the August primary? When so many races in Wyoming are decided in the primaries, every vote truly matters. A very small percentage of Park County citizens are deciding who represents us in Cheyenne and Washington. Wyoming Rising is encouraging all eligible voters to step up and exercise their basic democratic rights — especially with so many important issues at stake.

The general election is on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Early and absentee voting begins on Tuesday, Oct. 8.

1. Voter registration updates: If you need to update your name or address, you must follow the same process as when you first registered. That means presenting your ID at the courthouse, Powell City Hall or Meeteetse Town Hall (or, if making the change by mail, to a notary).

2. Primary elections are just the start: Voting in the primary is important, but it’s not the whole picture. The general election is critical because voting affects the strength of your entire political party. Precinct committeemen and committeewomen are elected based on the total number of votes cast for party candidates in the last general election.

These local officials play a key role in shaping our political future.

3. You can register to vote AND vote at the polls on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5.

4. Write-in candidates: Did your preferred candidate lose in the primary? You can still write in their name during the general election. For example, candidates like David Northrup, Matt Hall, David Hill or Kevin Skates can still be written in, even if they didn’t advance past the primary.

To ensure your vote counts and your voice is heard, take these steps:

• Except for the 15 days before the election, you can register to vote or make changes to your registration (such as your address or name) in Cody, Powell or Meeteetse:

• Locate your polling place and note the hours of operation.

• Consider voting early or absentee: If you can’t make it on Election Day, request an absentee ballot from your county clerk’s office. If you’re voting in person, go early to avoid the last-minute rush.

• Bring valid ID: Wyoming now requires voters to show identification at the polls. Acceptable IDs include:

U.S. passport;

Out-of-state driver’s license or ID card;

Tribal ID from any federally recognized tribe;

ID issued by local, state or federal agency;

Photo ID card issued by a Wyoming college or public school;

U.S. military card or an ID card issued to a dependent of a military member

See the full list of acceptable IDs here: https://parkcounty-wy.gov/county-elections/how-do-i-register-to-vote/

• Offer a ride: If you know someone who needs a ride to the polls, offer them a ride.

• Be prepared: If anyone challenges your right to vote, don’t get frustrated — seek help from the county clerk’s office immediately.

You can find more information about the voting process and polling places through these links:

• Wyoming voting FAQs: sos.wyo.gov/faqs.aspx?root=ELEC

• Park County election information: parkcounty-wy.gov/county-elections/

Democracy depends on you!

A representative democracy relies on active participation. Wyoming Rising has been working to increase voter turnout and raise awareness about the critical issues facing our state. Our mission is to protect civil liberties, ensure quality public education, advocate for affordable healthcare and safeguard our environment through active participation in government.

Phyllis Roseberry

Chair, Wyoming Rising

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