Wikipedia

List of Wyoming ballot measures

The U.S. state of Wyoming has had a system of direct voting since 1968, when voters adopted a constitutional amendment allowing measures to be placed on the ballot. Only years when ballot measures were on the general election ballot are listed.

Background

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Wyoming's ballot measure procedure has been described by the Initiative & Referendum Institute as "one of the most onerous" in the nation.[1] In order to place a citizen-initiated initiative on the ballot, measure sponsors must gather signatures equal to 15% of ballots cast in the previous election, along with at least 15% of voters in two-thirds of Wyoming counties. These requirements, coupled with the legislature's ability to remove ballot measures if they adopt a substantially similar law, make placing measures on the ballot exceptionally difficult.[1][2]: 33–34  As a result, most measures voted on in the general election are placed on the ballot by the legislature, not the voters.[1]

There are three types of ballot measures in Wyoming:[3]

  • Initiated state statues are measures that would create new state law. They are sponsored by voters and placed on the ballot after meeting signature requirements.
  • Legislatively-referred constitutional amendments are changes to the Wyoming Constitution and are automatically placed on the ballot after approval by the legislature.
  • Veto referenda are measures to repeal state law. They are sponsored by voters and placed on the ballot after meeting signature requirements.

1968—1999

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1968

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Measure Name Description Status Yes Votes No Votes
Amendment No. 1 A constitutional amendment to repeal the school poll tax[4]: 1–2  Passed[5] 73,872 (69.47%) 32,457 (30.53%)
Amendment No. 2 A constitutional amendment to create an initiative & referendum system in Wyoming, provided such measures receive at least 100 signatures in support[4]: 1–2  Passed[5] 72,009 (74.77%) 24,299 (25.23%)

1970

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Measure Name Description Status Yes Votes No Votes
Amendment 1 A constitutional amendment relating to public funds[4]: 3–5  Passed[6] 75,996 (78.63%) 20,648 (21.37%)
Amendment 2 A constitutional amendment lowering the voting age to 19[4]: 3–5  Failed[6][a] 53,997 (52.72%) 48,418 (47.28%)
Amendment 3 A constitutional amendment allowing the state to invest education funds[4]: 3–5  Passed[6] 64,970 (62.29%) 30,170 (31.71%)
Amendment 4 A constitutional amendment relating to the salaries of public officials[4]: 3–5  Failed[6][b] 56,940 (60.01%) 37,940 (39.99%)
Amendment 5 A constitutional amendment relating to the investment of county school funds[4]: 3–5  Passed[6] 63,554 (67.52%) 30,570 (32.48%)

1972

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Measure Name Description Status Yes Votes No Votes
Amendment 1 A constitutional amendment providing a form of home rule for cities and towns[4]: 6–9  Passed[7] 97,026 (76.18%) 30,339 (23.82%)
Amendment 3 A constitutional amendment permitting state legislators to accept appointments to other offices[4]: 6–9  Failed[7][c] 72,798 (56.71%) 55,580 (43.29%)
Amendment 4 A constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to increase the number of justices on the Wyoming Supreme Court[4]: 6–9  Passed[7] 86,539 (66.97%) 42,676 (33.03%)
Amendment 5 A constitutional amendment stating that the legislature should meet for no more than 60 working days per period[4]: 6–9  Passed[7] 76,170 (60.27%) 50,209 (39.73%)
Amendment 6 A constitutional amendment allowing counties to levy an annual tax[4]: 6–9  Failed[7] 51,895 (40.69%) 75,630 (59.31%)
Amendment 7 A constitutional amendment allowing counties to create indebtedness[4]: 6–9  Failed[7] 63,239 (49.97%) 63,315 (50.03%)

1974

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Measure Name Description Status Yes Votes No Votes
Amendment 1 A constitutional amendment creating new protections against double taxation[4]: 10–11  Unclear[4]: 10–11 [d] 77,513 (68.42%) 35,771 (31.58%)
Amendment 2 A constitutional amendment creating a mineral excise tax[4]: 10–11  Unclear[4]: 10–11 [e] 78,842 (70.87%) 32,414 (29.13%)
Amendment 3 A constitutional amendment establishing a statewide school levy[4]: 10–11  Failed[4]: 10–11  51,392 (45.06%) 62,667 (54.94%)

1976

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Measure Name Description Status Yes Votes No Votes
Amendment 1 A constitutional amendment relating to judges[8] Passed[8] 92,559 (66.48%) 46,664 (33.52%)
Amendment 2 A constitutional amendment increasing the city, county, and school indebtedness limit[8] Failed[8] 43,951 (31.29%) 96,526 (68.71%)
Amendment 3 A constitutional amendment relating to the Wyoming criminal code[8] Passed[8] 106,931 (77.50%) 31,045 (22.50%)

1978

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Measure Name Description Status Yes Votes No Votes
Amendment 1 A constitutional amendment permitting women to work in mines[4]: 12–13  Passed[9] 82,957 (66.11%) 44,446 (34.89%)
Amendment 2 A constitutional amendment equalizing school funding across all districts[4]: 12–13  Passed[9] 83,552 (66.24%) 42,586 (33.76%)
Amendment 3 A constitutional amendment permitting the construction of a state prison for men and a state prison for women[4]: 12–13  Passed[9] 82,537 (65.00%) 44,445 (35.00%)

1980

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Measure Name Description Status Yes Votes No Votes
Amendment 1 A constitutional amendment providing for juries of less than twelve members in misdemeanor trials[4]: 14  Failed[4]: 14  44,446 (19.71%) 181,004 (80.29%)

1982

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Measure Name Description Status Yes Votes No Votes
Amendment 1 A constitutional amendment permitting the legislature to invest state funds[4]: 15–16  Failed[10][f] 77,005 (50.81%) 74,548 (49.19%)
Amendment 2 A constitutional amendment increase state education taxes[4]: 15–16  Passed[10] 100,820 (65.80%) 52,409 (34.20%)
Amendment 3 A constitutional amendment allowing the state treasurer to seek re-election[4]: 15–16  Passed[10] 126,985 (82.58%) 26,788 (17.42%)

1984

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Measure Name Description Status Yes Votes No Votes
Amendment 1 A constitutional amendment allowing the legislature to write off uncollected debts in certain circumstances[4]: 17–18  Passed[11] 119,757 (67.98%) 56,402 (32.02%)
Amendment 2 A constitutional amendment allowing the investment of employee retirement funds[4]: 17–18  Passed[11] 116,791 (66.20%) 59,637 (33.80%)
Amendment 3 A constitutional amendment clarifying that officials appointed by the governor can be removed by the governor[4]: 17–18  Failed[11][g] 87,920 (50.31%) 86,829 (49.69%)

1986

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Measure Name Description Status Yes Votes No Votes
Amendment 1 A constitutional amendment modifying the pass requirements for ballot measures in Wyoming[4]: 18–21  Passed[12] 104,759 (72.19%) 40,357 (27.81%)
Amendment 2 A constitutional amendment allowing the governor to remove state officials appointed by the same governor[4]: 18–21  Passed[12] 128,476 (84.07%) 24,348 (15.93%)
Amendment 3 A constitutional amendment allowing the legislature to modify the duties of the state board of equalization[4]: 18–21  Passed[12] 107,507 (73.86%) 38,050 (26.14%)
Amendment 4 A constitutional amendment allowing the legislature to create a state investment fund for economic development loans[4]: 18–21  Passed[12] 111,590 (72.93%) 41,420 (27.07%)
Amendment 5 A constitutional amendment providing that any increase in judicial salaries apply to all judges[4]: 18–21  Failed[12][h] 79,557 (52.98%) 70,602 (47.02%)
Amendment 6 A constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to expand workers compensation[4]: 18–21  Passed[12] 106,591 (71.57%) 42,339 (28.43%)

1988

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Measure Name Description Status Yes Votes No Votes
Amendment 1 A constitutional amendment allowing the legislature to create three classes of property for the purposes of taxation[4]: 22  Passed[13] 133,677 (77.15%) 39,597 (22.85%)

1990

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Measure Name Description Status Yes Votes No Votes
Amendment 1 A constitutional amendment to prevent sheriffs from keeping fees collected in civil cases[4]: 23–24  Passed[14] 124,789 (81.11%) 29,054 (18.89%)
Amendment 2 A constitutional amendment to allow the legislature to appoint a state examiner, geologist, and inspector of mines[4]: 23–24  Passed[14] 82,233 (55.73%) 65,317 (44.27%)
Amendment 3 A constitutional amendment transferring the powers of the Wyoming state board of charities to the legislature[4]: 23–24  Passed[14] 86,195 (59.88%) 57,763 (40.12%)
Amendment 4 A constitutional amendment restricting the use of public employee retirement funds to purposes directly benefiting public employees[4]: 23–24  Passed[14] 112,213 (75.45%) 36,511 (24.55%)

1992

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Measure Name Description Status Yes Votes No Votes
Constitutional Amendment 1 A constitutional amendment to allow the legislature to invest the state permanent fund in equities[15] Unclear[15][i] -- --
Initiative 1 An initiative to ban triple trailers in Wyoming[15] Passed[15][16] 165,879 (83.83%) 31,997 (16.17%)
Initiative 2 An initiative to establish term limits for elected officials in Wyoming[15] Passed[15][16] 150,113 (77.00%) 44,424 (23.00%)
Initiative 3 An initiative to increase railroad regulation[15] Passed[15][16] 130,646 (71.28%) 52,835 (28.72%)

1994

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Measure Name Description Status Yes Votes No Votes
Constitutional Amendment 1 A constitutional amendment to create a criminal sentence of life without parole and to limit the governor's parole power[15] Passed[j] -- --
Constitutional Amendment 2 A constitutional amendment to allow the legislature to invest up to 25% of the state's permanent fund in equities[15] Failed[k] -- --
Initiative 1 An initiative to prohibit abortions except in cases where pregnancy endangers the mother's life, rape, or incest[15] Failed[15][16] 61,980 (31.09%) 137,379 (68.91%)
Initiative 2 An initiative to permit some forms of gambling at the county level subject to a vote of the people[15] Failed[15][16] 75,547 (60.20%) 114,273 (39.80%)
Initiative 3 An initiative to allow the state treasurer to invest up to $500 million in financial institutions[15] Failed[15][16] 78,978 (39.94%) 118,760 (60.06%)

1996

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Measure Name Description Status Yes Votes No Votes
Constitutional Amendment A A constitutional amendment relating to redistricting[15] Failed[17] 91,081 (48.46%) 96,857 (51.54%)
Constitutional Amendment B A constitutional amendment restoring voting rights to most mentally ill people[15] Passed[17] 122,658 (65.46%) 64,722 (34.54%)
Constitutional Amendment C A constitutional amendment allowing state funds to be invested in corporate stocks if the legislature dictates[15] Passed[17] 126,587 (64.81%) 68,727 (35.19%)
Constitutional Amendment D A constitutional amendment strengthening the Commission on Judicial Conduct and Ethics[15] Passed[17] 177,513 (89.08%) 21,751 (10.92%)
Initiative No. 1 An initiative requiring candidates for office to indicate whether they support term limits on the ballot[15] Failed[17] 105,093 (54.14%) 89,018 (45.86%)
Initiative No. 2 An initiative to repeal Senate Enrolled Act 4, which extended term limits for legislators[15] Failed[17] 104,544 (53.70%) 90,138 (46.30%)

1998

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Measure Name Description Status Yes Votes No Votes
Constitutional Amendment A A constitutional amendment allowing the legislature to reapportion its membership as soon as census data is available[18] Passed[19] 117,638 (74.95%) 39,321 (25.05%)
Constitutional Amendment B A constitutional amendment modifying the requirements for citizen-initiated measures to be placed on the ballot[18] Passed[19] 97,846 (61.76%) 60,582 (38.24%)
Constitutional Amendment C A constitutional amendment mandating that funds allocated to Wyoming's Workers Compensation Fund only be used for specific purposes[18] Passed[19] 143,920 (88.24%) 19,178 (11.76%)

2000—

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2000

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Measure Name Description Status Yes Votes No Votes
Constitutional Amendment B A constitutional amendment expanding the eligibility requirements for the Wyoming National Guard[15] Passed[20] 125,841 (64.61%) 68,927 (35.39%)

2002

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Measure Name Description Status Yes Votes No Votes
Constitutional Amendment A A constitutional amendment allowing the legislature to convene special legislative sessions if a majority of members agree[21] Passed[22] 112,438 (66.29%) 57,187 (33.71%)
Constitutional Amendment B A constitutional amendment allowing the legislature to handle disputes relating to presidential electors[21] Passed[22] 110,906 (65.78%) 57,708 (34.22%)
Constitutional Amendment C A constitutional amendment limiting the governor's line-item veto authority only to general appropriations bills[21] Failed[22] 73,240 (44.22%) 92,396 (55.78%)
Constitutional Amendment D A constitutional amendment requiring constitutional amendments be submitted to the voters before being approved by the Governor[21] Failed[22] 87,786 (52.74%) 78,679 (47.26%)

2004

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Measure Name Description Status Yes Votes No Votes
Constitutional Amendment A A constitutional amendment to allow school districts to bring in more revenue yearly[23] Failed[24] 122,038 (55.78%) 96,762 (44.22%)
Constitutional Amendment B A constitutional amendment allowing the legislature to authorize local governments to access expanded funding sources provided they receive vocal approval[23] Passed[24] 148,808 (66.16%) 76,115 (33.84%)
Constitutional Amendment C A constitutional amendment to allow the legislature to create laws requiring dispute resolution before medical malpractice lawsuits[23] Passed[24] 124,178 (52.99%) 110,169 (47.01%)
Constitutional Amendment D A constitutional amendment allowing the legislature to create laws limiting damages in medical malpractice lawsuits[23] Failed[24] 115,981 (49.65%) 117,602 (50.35%)

2006

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Measure Name Description Status Yes Votes No Votes
Constitutional Amendment A A constitutional amendment clarifying that all money in the Permanent Wyoming Mineral Trust Fund are permanent funds of the state[15] Passed[25] 130,735 (74.05%) 45,817 (25.95%)
Constitutional Amendment B A constitutional amendment allowing a greater amount of money to be distributed throughout the state for the purpose of funding school districts[15] Passed[26] 107,481 (58.15%) 77,338 (41.85%)
Constitutional Amendment C A constitutional amendment creating a permanent fund for higher education scholarships and quality improvements[15] Passed[27] 139,396 (75.05%) 46,342 (24.95%)

2008

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Measure Name Description Status Yes Votes No Votes
Constitutional Amendment A A constitutional amendment rewriting the oath of office required for public officials to take office[28] Passed[29] 191,787 (81.75%) 42,821 (18.25%)
Constitutional Amendment B A constitutional amendment modifying the requirements for citizen-led initiatives to be placed on the ballot[28] Failed[29] 120,333 (54.21%) 101,655 (45.79%)

2012

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Measure Name Description Status Yes Votes No Votes
Constitutional Amendment A A constitutional amendment forbidding a mandatory health care system in Wyoming and allowing citizens to pay any health care provider for services[30] Passed[31] 181,984 (76.98%) 54,405 (23.02%)
Constitutional Amendment B A constitutional amendment establishing a citizen's right to hunt and fish[30] Passed[31] 212,561 (89.26%) 25,564 (10.74%)
Constitutional Amendment C A constitutional amendment expanding the authority of district court commissioners[30] Failed[31] 88,562 (41.90%) 122,824 (58.10%)

2014

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Measure Name Description Status Yes Votes No Votes
Constitutional Amendment A A constitutional amendment allowing the Governor of Wyoming to appoint non-Wyoming citizens to the University of Wyoming board of trustees[32] Failed[33] 47,979 (29.51%) 114,597 (70.49%)

2016

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Measure Name Description Status Yes Votes No Votes
Constitutional Amendment A A constitutional amendment allowing the legislature to authorize the investment of public money in equities[34] Passed[35] 132,739 (56.29%) 103,071 (43.71%)

2020

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Measure Name Description Status Yes Votes No Votes
Constitutional Amendment A A constitutional amendment to allow municipalities to take on additional debt for sewer projects[36] Failed[37] 126,589 (51.17%) 120,808 (48.83%)

2022

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Measure Name Description Status Yes Votes No Votes
Constitutional Amendment A A constitutional amendment to allow local governments such as counties and cities to invest public funds in equities[38] Passed[39] 103,389 (56.78%) 78,714 (43.22%)
Constitutional Amendment B A constitutional amendment to increase the retirement age for judges from 70 to 75[38] Failed[39] 74,650 (39.19%) 115,838 (60.81%)

2024

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Measure Name Description Status Yes Votes No Votes
Constitutional Amendment A A constitutional amendment creating new property tax rates for residential properties and owner-occupied primary residences.[40] Passed

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Required at least 61,178 votes to pass
  2. ^ Required at least 61,178 votes to pass
  3. ^ Required at least 75,771 total votes to pass
  4. ^ Total election returns were unable to be located for this year, so it is unclear whether this measure received the requisite votes to pass
  5. ^ Total election returns were unable to be located for this year, so it is unclear whether this measure received the requisite votes to pass
  6. ^ Required at least 86,033 votes to pass
  7. ^ Required at least 98,078 votes to pass
  8. ^ Required at least 84,327 votes to pass
  9. ^ Vote totals were unable to be located for this measure
  10. ^ Vote totals were unable to be located for this measure
  11. ^ Vote totals were unable to be located for this measure

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Wyoming". Initiative & Referendum Institute. Retrieved 2022-09-11.
  2. ^ Matsusaka, John G. (2004). For the Many or the Few: The Initiative, Public Policy, and American Democracy. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press. ISBN 9780226510811.
  3. ^ "List of Wyoming ballot measures". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2022-10-20.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao Referenda and Primary Election Materials Part 45: Referenda Elections for Wyoming (PDF). Ann Arbor: Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research. 2002.
  5. ^ a b Thomson, Thyra (1969). 1969 Wyoming Official Directory and 1968 Election Returns. Cheyenne: State of Wyoming. p. 82 – via Wyoming State Archives.
  6. ^ a b c d e Thomson, Thyra (1971). 1971 Wyoming Official Director and 1970 Election Returns. Cheyenne: State of Wyoming. p. 92 – via Wyoming State Archives.
  7. ^ a b c d e f Thomson, Thyra (1973). 1973 Wyoming Official Directory and 1972 Election Returns. Cheyenne: State of Wyoming. p. 92 – via Wyoming State Archives.
  8. ^ a b c d e f Thomson, Thyra (1977). 1977 Wyoming Official Directory and 1976 Election Returns. Cheyenne: State of Wyoming. p. 127 – via Wyoming State Archives.
  9. ^ a b c Thomson, Thyra (1979). 1979 Wyoming Official Director and 1978 Election Returns. Cheyenne: State of Wyoming. p. 133 – via Wyoming State Archives.
  10. ^ a b c Thomson, Thyra (1983). Wyoming Official Directory 1983. Cheyenne: State of Wyoming. p. 147 – via Wyoming State Archives.
  11. ^ a b c Thomson, Thyra (1985). Wyoming 1985 Official Directory and 1984 Election Returns. Cheyenne: State of Wyoming. p. 157 – via Wyoming State Archives.
  12. ^ a b c d e f Karpan, Kathy (1987). Hill, Dawn (ed.). 1987 Wyoming Official Directory and 1986 Election Returns. Cheyenne: State of Wyoming. p. 165 – via Wyoming State Archives.
  13. ^ karpan, Kathy (1989). Hill, Dawn (ed.). 1989 Wyoming Official Directory and 1988 Election Returns. Cheyenne: State of Wyoming. p. 172 – via Wyoming State Archives.
  14. ^ a b c d Karpan, Kathy (1991). Hill, Dawn (ed.). 1991 Wyoming Official Directory and 1990 Election Returns. Cheyenne: State of Wyoming. p. 187 – via Wyoming State Archives.
  15. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z "Statewide Ballot Measures Database". National Conference of State Legislatures. 2022-08-22. Retrieved 2022-09-14.
  16. ^ a b c d e f "Past Initiative and Referendum Summary" (PDF). Wyoming Secretary of State's Office. 2021-07-01. Retrieved 2022-10-19.
  17. ^ a b c d e f "Statewide Issues Abstract". Wyoming Secretary of State. Retrieved 2022-09-14.
  18. ^ a b c "1998 Ballot Issues" (PDF). Wyoming Secretary of State. Retrieved 2022-09-14.
  19. ^ a b c "Statewide Issues Abstract" (PDF). Wyoming Secretary of State. Retrieved 2022-09-14.
  20. ^ "Statewide Issues and Candidates Abstract -- General Election -- November 7, 2000" (PDF). Wyoming Secretary of State. Retrieved 2022-09-14.
  21. ^ a b c d "2002 Ballot Issues" (PDF). Wyoming Secretary of State. Retrieved 2022-09-14.
  22. ^ a b c d "Statewide Candidates' Abstract -- Official General Election Results -- November 5, 2002" (PDF). Wyoming Secretary of State. Retrieved 2022-09-14.
  23. ^ a b c d Meyer, Joseph B. "2004 Wyoming Voter's Guide" (PDF). Wyoming Secretary of State. Retrieved 2022-09-14.
  24. ^ a b c d "Statewide Candidates' Abstract - Official Wyoming General Election Results - November 2, 2004" (PDF). Wyoming Secretary of State. Retrieved 2022-09-14.
  25. ^ "Statewide Ballot Issues Official Summary Wyoming General Election - November 7, 2006" (PDF). Wyoming Secretary of State. Retrieved 2022-09-14.
  26. ^ "Statewide Ballot Issues Official Summary Wyoming General Election - November 7, 2006" (PDF). Wyoming Secretary of State. Retrieved 2022-09-14.
  27. ^ "Statewide Ballot Issues Official Summary Wyoming General Election - November 7, 2006" (PDF). Wyoming Secretary of State. Retrieved 2022-09-14.
  28. ^ a b Maxfield, Max. "2008 Wyoming Voter's Guide" (PDF). Wyoming Secretary of State. Retrieved 2022-09-14.
  29. ^ a b "Statewide Constitutional Amendments Official Summary Wyoming General Election - November 4, 2008" (PDF). Wyoming Secretary of State. Retrieved 2022-09-14.
  30. ^ a b c "2012 General Election Ballot Issues" (PDF). Wyoming Secretary of State. Retrieved 2022-09-14.
  31. ^ a b c "Statewide Constitutional Amendments Official Summary Wyoming General Election - November 6, 2012" (PDF). Wyoming Secretary of State. Retrieved 2022-09-14.
  32. ^ Todd, Leah (2016-01-21). "Open board? Out-of-state UW trustees proposition makes November ballot". Casper Star Tribune. Retrieved 2022-09-14.
  33. ^ "Statewide Constitutional Amendments Official Summary Wyoming General Election - November 4, 2014" (PDF). Wyoming Secretary of State. Retrieved 2022-09-14.
  34. ^ "2016 General Election Ballot Issues" (PDF). Wyoming Secretary of State. Retrieved 2022-09-14.
  35. ^ "Statewide Constitutional Amendments Official Summary Wyoming General Election - November 8, 2016" (PDF). Wyoming Secretary of State. Retrieved 2022-09-14.
  36. ^ "2020 General Election Ballot Issues" (PDF). Wyoming Secretary of State. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2020-06-07. Retrieved 2022-09-14.
  37. ^ "Statewide Constitutional Amendments Official Summary Wyoming General Election - November 3, 2020" (PDF). Wyoming Secretary of State. Retrieved 2022-09-14.
  38. ^ a b "2022 General Election Ballot Issues" (PDF). Wyoming Secretary of State. Retrieved 2022-09-14.
  39. ^ a b “Statewide Constitutional Amendments Official Summary Wyoming General Election - November 8, 2022” (PDF). Wyoming Secretary of State. Retrieved 2024-04-06.
  40. ^ Kinskey, Dave (2023-03-11). "Column: Property tax reduction resurrection". The Sheridan Press. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
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