Wyoming’s Republican Governor Mark Gordon has directed the state’s attorney general to investigate the conduct of two U.S. Department of Justice monitors who observed poll workers and voters in Laramie County during the primary held on August 18. Gordon characterized the monitors’ activities as “aggressive” and “irregular” during a meeting convened to confirm election results.
Laramie County Clerk Debra Lee stated that the monitors arrived shortly after polls opened and indicated they intended to interview voters while assessing compliance with federal voting rights laws. Her office declined to permit voter interviews at polling locations and barred the monitors from conducting such activities. The monitors instead questioned local election officials about poll worker training procedures, the acquisition of voting equipment, and requested to examine vote tabulators. Lee noted that her office had not been notified in advance of the monitors’ planned visit and characterized the exercise as poorly managed and disrespectful of state election laws. A Justice Department official indicated the decision to send monitors was made on short notice and an email notification may have been sent to an incorrect address.
The Justice Department stated that monitors were deployed to ensure transparency, ballot security, and compliance with federal voting rights statutes. A DOJ spokesperson emphasized that voters deserve confidence in ballot security and that the department was working with local officials to protect lawful votes. However, Wyoming law restricts election observation to certified poll watchers who monitor registration and turnout.
Gordon expressed concerns about federal involvement in state election administration, stating his opposition to federal intervention in voting matters. Wyoming’s Secretary of State Chuck Gray confirmed minimal communication with the Justice Department regarding the monitors. No claims have been made that the monitoring affected the primary outcome, according to Gordon’s office, which characterized the investigation as a fact-finding mission.
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