Wyoming Senator Pushes Back on Election Fraud Myths While Supporting Hand-Count Audits

Wyoming Senator Cale Case has spent decades in the state legislature, including many years leading election policy discussions. In a recent interview with the National Conference of State Legislatures, Case laid bare the disconnect between the reality of Wyoming’s elections and the growing wave of unfounded fraud claims that have infected political discourse nationwide.

By his account, Wyoming elections have been “marvelously clean,” with only four attempts at fraud ever recorded. Most errors, such as voters receiving the wrong ballot or ineligible individuals voting, stem from honest mistakes, not systemic malfeasance. Yet, as conspiracy theories about stolen elections spread, Wyoming voters and politicians have succumbed to fear, pushing for restrictive laws that risk disenfranchising eligible voters.

“We’ve managed to hold back on making these changes,” Case said, referring to efforts to eliminate machine counting and drop boxes. But the pressure is mounting. Some lawmakers want to move voter registration deadlines before candidate filing periods — a tactic that could entrench existing party power and suppress participation.

Case emphasized the crucial role of Wyoming’s local election officials, mostly county clerks, who run elections with “incredibly high standards” and intimate knowledge of the process. Their close relationship with the legislature and longstanding service provide a strong foundation for election integrity.

Interestingly, Case supported a new Wyoming law requiring hand-count post-election audits, despite already having robust audit procedures. The bill came from county clerks themselves, who saw it as a way to visibly demonstrate election transparency and build public confidence amid swirling doubts.

“The bill came from the county clerks, and I’m excited about that,” Case said.

The senator also highlighted the importance of legislators listening to election officials and engaging with them well before legislative sessions to craft informed policies. His participation in national election leader programs has broadened his perspective, exposing him to diverse approaches such as Alaska’s election methods and Colorado’s volunteer-driven system.

Case’s frank assessment and willingness to bolster transparency measures offer a model for resisting the corrosive impact of election denialism. But his warnings about voter suppression tactics underscore the ongoing battle to protect democratic participation even in states with strong election records.

Wyoming’s experience shows that no state is immune to the toxic politics of election fraud myths — and that vigilance, transparency, and collaboration remain essential to safeguarding the vote.