Wyoming governor objects to DOJ monitors
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon asked his attorney general to probe 'aggressive' DOJ election monitors. The dispute centers on federal authority versus state election control.
Background
During Wyoming's primary elections on August 18, 2026, two Justice Department monitors visited polling places in Laramie County, attempting to interview voters and examine voting machines. Local officials, including Laramie County's chief election officer Debra Lee, said the monitors did not offer credentials until requested and asked questions beyond the scope of federal voting rights laws. Governor Gordon, a Republican, expressed concern at a state canvassing board meeting on August 26, calling the behavior 'aggressive' and 'irregular,' and referred the matter to the state attorney general for review.
How it unfolded
- Aug 18, 2026Wyoming primary elections held; DOJ monitors visit polling places in Laramie County, attempting to interview voters and examine voting machines.
- Aug 26, 2026Gov. Gordon expresses concern at a state canvassing board meeting, calling the monitors' behavior 'aggressive' and 'irregular,' and asks the attorney general to investigate.
- Aug 27, 2026Gordon tells Cowboy State Daily he is 'shocked' and has referred the matter to the Wyoming Attorney General's Office for review.
- Aug 28, 2026CNN reports Gordon has asked his attorney general to look into the monitors' behavior; DOJ points to an Aug. 18 statement from U.S. Attorney Darin Smith.
Who’s saying what
- Governor
- Gov. Gordon said the monitors' behavior 'seemed to exceed what the authority that Congress had given them was,' but he is not against election monitors and praised the conduct of the election.
- Local officials
- Laramie County election officer Debra Lee said the monitors' questions were 'outside the scope of federal voting rights laws' and that they showed 'complete disregard for our state laws.'
- DOJ
- The DOJ referred to U.S. Attorney Darin Smith's statement: 'Voters deserve absolute confidence that their ballots are secure and their voices are heard without interference.'
- State law
- Wyoming Secretary of State's office spokesperson pointed to state law that 'provides for observation of the election process,' disputing the governor's assertions.
Still unverified
The specific details of the monitors' behavior, such as whether they actually attempted to interview voters or examine machines, are based on statements from local officials and the governor; the DOJ has not directly responded to these allegations.