GILLETTE, Wyo. — Extra training has been added to the pre-election schedule for poll watching volunteers, according to an email announcement from the Wyoming Republican Party.
According to an email sent from Wyoming National Committeewoman Marti Halverson to county party chairs, training has been added due to the large amount of first-time poll watch volunteers that have signed on ahead of the Aug. 20 primary.
The training is scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 14, and will be held in addition to training already on the books for Thursday evening and Saturday morning. The training is open to those interested statewide, and is free to attend via Zoom.
In the email thread, Campbell County Republican Party Chairman Scott Clem thanked those in the party who had expressed interest in volunteering. Clem also clarified in a phone call that the role of party poll watchers is purely to observe the election as it happens, and are not directly involved in handling ballots or other election proceedings the way a poll worker or election judge would.
Poll watchers are required by state statute to be registered to their party and reside within the county where the election is taking place. The 2023 statute also states that watchers may be removed for disrupting the election process or otherwise challenging voters.
Additionally, only one watcher per party may serve at a poling place unless granted special permission by a chief judge. If granted, one additional watcher per party would be allowed if the location is able to accommodate multiple poll watchers without interfering with the election process.
