By Wyliberty on Tuesday, 10 February 2026
Category: Political

WY 2026 HB 50 - Ballot Harvesting - Prohibition

1. Enduring Local Prosperity

Will this policy encourage families to set down roots, leading to long-term economic development through better local opportunities for the next generation?

Result:N/A

2. Flexible Self-Reliance
Does this policy give individuals, communities and/or the state the flexibility to adapt to changing political and economic circumstances? Will this help individuals and communities move away from ongoing reliance on government programs, subsidies and mandates, and toward independence and resilience?

Result: N/A

3. Private Property Rights

Does this policy remove institutional barriers, so that individuals or businesses may more easily use their land, property and labor in ways that do not violate the rights of others?

Result: N/A

4. Transparent Constitutional Government

Is this policy limited to carrying out the functions of a small and transparent government as described in the U.S. and Wyoming constitutions, while dividing power appropriately between the legislative, executive and judicial branches of Wyoming's government?

Result: N/A

5. Responsible Taxation & Spending

Question:Will this policy reduce government spending, broaden the tax base, simplify tax policy or lower tax/fee intake?

Result: N/A

6. Local and State Control

Will this policy return power to Wyoming families or local governments from state government? Or will this policy transfer power to state government from the federal government?

Result: N/A

7. Voluntary Exchange & Individual Choice

Does this policy remove obstacles from business and consumers engaging in voluntary, mutually beneficial transactions, ultimately giving consumers more choices?

Result: N/A

8. Profit Motive & Fair Competition

Does this policy encourage entrepreneurs and businesses to seek profits through calculated risks based on market prices rather than government signals, lowering prices for consumers?

Result: N/A

9. Electoral Accountability

Does this policy assist Wyomingites in voting more securely and/or easily for eligible candidates in transparent elections for public office? Or provide mechanisms for holding elected or nonelected officials accountable for their actions to the people of Wyoming?

Result: ✅ Pass

HB 50 can improve perceived election security by reducing the number of hands each ballot is handled by and clarifying who may return ballots, which can enhance transparency and trust in the results of elections.Wyoming would join10 states (including Idaho and Utah), that prohibit politically involved people,like candidates or union members, from collecting a voter's ballot(as of November 2025). Wyoming would also join14 states (including Colorado) that limit the number of ballots a single person can return. Wyoming ranks 30th of 50 states on Heritage Foundation's Election Integrity Scorecard, partially due to having no restriction on ballot harvesting.

10. Generational Resource Stewardship

Would this policy ensure Wyoming's natural resources can be shared across current and future generations of Wyomingites?

Result: N/A


Final Verdict: Passes the WyLiberty Policy Compass

Score: 1 Pass | 0 Caution | 0 Fail | 9 Not Applicable

Summary:

HB 50 (2026)scores positively on one considered Compass Point, Electoral Accountability, leading Wyoming Liberty Group to support this legislation.The bill revises Wyoming election statutes to restrict who may return a completed ballot to the county clerk. Ballots may be delivered only by the voter themselves, a member of the voter's immediate family, or a duly authorized employee of a residential care facility. Facility employees are limited to returning absentee ballots for no more than five qualified electors per election and must submit an affidavit to the county clerk confirming their authorization. Ballots returned outside these permitted channels are excluded from the official count, and the county clerk must inform the affected voter that the ballot was not tabulated. The bill also establishes a new felony for violating the ballot-delivery rules, carrying a penalty of up to 5 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. The act takes effect immediately upon final enactment.

Related Posts