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List of special elections to the Wyoming Legislature

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Under Wyoming law, state legislative vacancies are not filled by special election, but rather by gubernatorial appointment. However, if a general or primary election in the state is voided, whether due to deliberate voter fraud or human error, a re-vote may be held no later than the third Tuesday after the disputed election.[1]

1992 SD 23 Precinct 1-8 special election

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The general election for Wyoming's 23rd Senate District in 1992 showed a close race between Republican candidate Larry Gilbertz and Democratic candidate Sandy Daly, with Gilbertz having a 29-vote lead. However, human error resulted in multiple voters in Precinct 1–8, a precinct split between two state senate districts, receiving ballots for the incorrect race. Due to the close margin, a special election in the precinct was called for November 24, with Democratic governor Mike Sullivan and Republican U.S. Representative Craig L. Thomas sending personal letters to all 222 registered voters in the precinct to request their support. The resulting special election reaffirmed Gilbertz's victory and expanded his margin to 68 votes. This race gave Republians a veto-proof majority in the state senate.[2][3]

Candidates Precinct 1–8 Total
General[2] Special[3] General[2] Special[3]
Vote % Vote % Vote % Vote %
Larry Gilbertz 35 43.75 87 58.78 2,598 50.28 2,655 50.65
Sandy Daly 45 56.25 61 41.22 2,569 49.72 2,587 49.35
Total 80 100.00 148 100.00 5,167 100.00 5,242 100.00
Majority +29 +0.56 +68 +1.30

2002 HD 36 special election

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In the general election for Wyoming's 36th House District in 2002, Democrat Liz Gentile appeared to win the seat by the slimmest possible margin, one vote out of nearly three thousand cast. A recount expanded Gentile's margin to three votes, a tenth of a percentage point. The election was voided after it was found that thirteen voters from House Districts 56 and 57 may have voted in this race. The special election held on November 26 affirmed Gentile's victory.[4]

Candidates General Special[5]
Initial count[6] Recount[6]
Vote % Vote % Vote %
Liz Gentile 1,461 50.02 1,466 50.05 1,168 58.02
Bob Tanner 1,460 49.98 1,463 49.95 845 41.98
Total 2,921 100.00 2,929 100.00 2,013 100.00
Majority +1 +0.04 +3 +0.10 +323 +16.04

2008 HD 22 special election

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In the general election for Wyoming's 22nd House District in 2008, a re-vote was called after it was discovered that 11 people had voted incorrectly in the district, much larger than disputed winner Jim Roscoe's 4-vote margin. In the resulting special election, Roscoe won once again, this time with a more convincing 119-vote majority.[7]

Candidates General[8] Special[9]
Vote % Vote %
Jim Roscoe 2,891 49.96 2,849 50.99
Charles Stough 2,887 49.89 2,730 48.86
Write-ins 9 0.16 8 0.14
Total 5,787 100.00 5,587 100.00
Majority +4 +0.07 +119 +2.13

2016 HD 18 Republican primary Precinct 4-5 special election

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In the Republican primary election for Wyoming's 18th House District in 2016, some voters in Sweetwater County's Precinct 4-5 received the incorrect ballot. The election, held August 16, was voided on August 24, and the new election for Precinct 4-5 was scheduled for August 31.[10]

Candidates Precinct 4–5 Total
General[11] Special[12] General[13] Special[14]
Vote % Vote % Vote % Vote %
Thomas Crank 14 11.11 8 8.70 477 31.65 471 31.25
Scott Heiner 64 50.79 72 78.26 435 28.87 443 29.40
Lyle Williams 14 11.11 3 3.26 274 18.18 263 17.45
Zem Hopkins 7 5.56 4 4.35 162 10.75 159 10.55
Kevin Simpson 27 21.43 4 4.35 157 10.42 134 8.89
Write-ins 0 0.00 1 1.09 2 0.13 3 0.20
Total 126 100.00 92 100.00 1,507 100.00 1,473 100.00
Majority +42 +2.78 +28 +1.85

References

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  1. ^ "2023 Wyoming Statutes Title 22 - Elections Chapter 16 - Canvass and Recount Section 22-16-122 - Election Declared Null and Void; Special Election". Justia US Law. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  2. ^ a b c Barron, Joan (10 November 2024). "Veto-proof Senate on line in Campbell". Casper Star-Tribune. Newspapers.com. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
  3. ^ a b c Barron, Joan (26 November 2024). "Gilbertz tops Daly in Campbell special vote". Casper Star-Tribune. Newspapers.com. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  4. ^ Van Dusen, Matthew (27 November 2002). "Gentile wins HD 36 race". Casper Star-Tribune. Newspapers.com. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  5. ^ "Natrona County -- Official Special Election House District 36 Results -- November 26, 2002" (PDF). WY SOS. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  6. ^ a b "Statewide Legislative Abstract -- Official General Election Results -- November 5, 2002" (PDF). WY SOS. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  7. ^ Brenner, Noah (26 November 2008). "Roscoe wins seat in House". Jackson Hole News & Guide. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  8. ^ "Statewide House Districts Official Summary Wyoming General Election - November 4, 2008" (PDF). WY SOS. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  9. ^ "House District 22 Official Summary Wyoming Special Election - November 25, 2008" (PDF). WY SOS. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  10. ^ "Wyoming Canvassing Board sets special election in HD 18". Billings Gazette. 24 August 2016. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  11. ^ "Sweetwater County Official Precinct-by-Precinct Summary Wyoming Primary Election - August 16, 2016" (PDF). WY SOS. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  12. ^ "weetwater County Official Precinct-by-Precinct Summary Republican Precinct 5-4 Only Wyoming Special Election - August 31, 2016" (PDF). WY SOS. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  13. ^ "tatewide House Candidates Official Summary Wyoming Primary Election - August 16, 2016" (PDF). WY SOS. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  14. ^ "House District 18 Official Summary Wyoming Special Election - August 31, 2016" (PDF). WY SOS. Retrieved 21 December 2024.