Wyoming governor decries aggressive conduct by DOJ election monitors

During the certification of Wyoming’s primary results, Governor Mark Gordon warned that Department of Justice election observers displayed aggressive and irregular conduct at polling places. Gordon asserted the U.S. Attorney had not been notified of the observers and requested the state attorney general examine the nature of their visits. Laramie County Clerk Debra Lee reported that two DOJ monitors identified themselves only after she asked for credentials and pursued inquiries that she said exceeded federal voting-rights jurisdiction, including requests for training guides and equipment details.

The monitors also attempted to interview voters, which Lee refused, citing state prohibitions on such polling-place interviews. The DOJ’s effort is part of a broader initiative to increase monitoring before the November congressional elections, but Secretary of State Chuck Gray said the observers had been announced and were intended to promote transparency. Gordon clarified he is not opposing the observers themselves, but believes their actions surpassed the authority granted by Congress, reflecting wider worries about federal intrusion into state issues such as gun rights and election administration.