The House Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions Committee of the Wyoming Legislature convened on January 22, 2025, to address significant issues surrounding the use of ballot drop boxes in the state. The meeting featured testimony from Secretary of State Gray, who reiterated his strong opposition to the legality of ballot drop boxes, asserting that they are not authorized under Wyoming law.

The discussion began with Secretary Gray expressing gratitude for the committee's attention to the concerns of Wyoming residents regarding ballot drop boxes. He emphasized that the issue is not about personal power but about adhering to the law, which he believes mandates uniformity in election procedures. Gray stated that the county clerks who utilized drop boxes during the last election may have acted outside their legal authority, a claim that prompted questions from committee members about the lack of legal action taken against these clerks.

Representative Bien challenged Gray's assertion, questioning why he had not pursued legal action if he believed the clerks were breaking the law. Gray explained that the Attorney General, who is responsible for representing the state, declined to take action due to a perceived conflict of interest stemming from the governor's stance on the issue.

The committee also explored the operational aspects of ballot drop boxes, including security measures and the handling of video footage from these locations. Secretary Gray noted that each county has implemented its own procedures, leading to inconsistencies in how drop boxes are monitored. He expressed concerns about the reliability of technology used for surveillance and the lack of standardized protocols across counties.

Policy Director Joe Rubino provided additional context, revealing that seven counties used drop boxes in the 2024 election cycle, with two more having done so in 2022. The committee raised concerns about incidents where ballot contents were incinerated, questioning the ability to verify whether those votes were counted.

Throughout the meeting, Secretary Gray maintained that issuing guidance on the use of drop boxes would violate his oath, as he believes they are illegal under current statutes. He highlighted the challenges faced in ensuring compliance with election laws, particularly when local clerks assert control over election procedures.

The meeting concluded with a call for further examination of the issues surrounding ballot drop boxes and the need for uniformity in election administration in Wyoming. The committee plans to continue discussions on this topic in future sessions, aiming to clarify the legal framework governing election practices in the state.