List of special elections to the Wyoming Legislature

Under Wyoming law, state legislative vacancies are not filled by special election, but rather by gubernatorial appointment. However, if a general or primary election in the state is voided, whether due to deliberate voter fraud or human error, a re-vote may be held no later than the third Tuesday after the disputed election. ^[1]

1992 SD 23 Precinct 1-8 special election

The general election for Wyoming's 23rd Senate District in 1992 showed a close race between Republican candidate Larry Gilbertz and Democratic candidate Sandy Daly, with Gilbertz having a 29-vote lead. However, human error resulted in multiple voters in Precinct 1–8, a precinct split between two state senate districts, receiving ballots for the incorrect race. Due to the close margin, a special election in the precinct was called for November 24, with Democratic governor Mike Sullivan and Republican U.S. Representative Craig L. Thomas sending personal letters to all 222 registered voters in the precinct to request their support. The resulting special election reaffirmed Gilbertz's victory and expanded his margin to 68 votes. This race gave Republians a veto-proof majority in the state senate. ^{[2] [3]}

Candidates		Precinct 1–8				Total
		General [2]		Special [3]		General [2]		Special [3]
		Vote	%	Vote	%	Vote	%	Vote	%
Larry Gilbertz		35	43.75	87	58.78	2,598	50.28	2,655	50.65
Sandy Daly		45	56.25	61	41.22	2,569	49.72	2,587	49.35
Total		80	100.00	148	100.00	5,167	100.00	5,242	100.00
Majority						+29	+0.56	+68	+1.30

2002 HD 36 special election

In the general election for Wyoming's 36th House District in 2002, Democrat Liz Gentile appeared to win the seat by the slimmest possible margin, one vote out of nearly three thousand cast. A recount expanded Gentile's margin to three votes, a tenth of a percentage point. The election was voided after it was found that thirteen voters from House Districts 56 and 57 may have voted in this race. The special election held on November 26 affirmed Gentile's victory. ^[4]

Candidates		General				Special [5]
		Initial count [6]		Recount [6]
		Vote	%	Vote	%	Vote	%
Liz Gentile		1,461	50.02	1,466	50.05	1,168	58.02
Bob Tanner		1,460	49.98	1,463	49.95	845	41.98
Total		2,921	100.00	2,929	100.00	2,013	100.00
Majority		+1	+0.04	+3	+0.10	+323	+16.04

2008 HD 22 special election

In the general election for Wyoming's 22nd House District in 2008, a re-vote was called after it was discovered that 11 people had voted incorrectly in the district, much larger than disputed winner Jim Roscoe's 4-vote margin. In the resulting special election, Roscoe won once again, this time with a more convincing 119-vote majority. ^[7]

Candidates		General [8]		Special [9]
		Vote	%	Vote	%
Jim Roscoe		2,891	49.96	2,849	50.99
Charles Stough		2,887	49.89	2,730	48.86
Write-ins		9	0.16	8	0.14
Total		5,787	100.00	5,587	100.00
Majority		+4	+0.07	+119	+2.13

2016 HD 18 Republican primary Precinct 4-5 special election

In the Republican primary election for Wyoming's 18th House District in 2016, some voters in Sweetwater County's Precinct 4-5 received the incorrect ballot. The election, held August 16, was voided on August 24, and the new election for Precinct 4-5 was scheduled for August 31. ^[10]

Candidates		Precinct 4–5				Total
		General [11]		Special [12]		General [13]		Special [14]
		Vote	%	Vote	%	Vote	%	Vote	%
Thomas Crank		14	11.11	8	8.70	477	31.65	471	31.25
Scott Heiner		64	50.79	72	78.26	435	28.87	443	29.40
Lyle Williams		14	11.11	3	3.26	274	18.18	263	17.45
Zem Hopkins		7	5.56	4	4.35	162	10.75	159	10.55
Kevin Simpson		27	21.43	4	4.35	157	10.42	134	8.89
Write-ins		0	0.00	1	1.09	2	0.13	3	0.20
Total		126	100.00	92	100.00	1,507	100.00	1,473	100.00
Majority						+42	+2.78	+28	+1.85

References

1. "2023 Wyoming Statutes Title 22 - Elections Chapter 16 - Canvass and Recount Section 22-16-122 - Election Declared Null and Void; Special Election". Justia US Law. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
2. Barron, Joan (10 November 2024). "Veto-proof Senate on line in Campbell". Casper Star-Tribune . Newspapers.com . Retrieved 10 December 2024.
3. Barron, Joan (26 November 2024). "Gilbertz tops Daly in Campbell special vote". Casper Star-Tribune . Newspapers.com . Retrieved 21 December 2024.
4. Van Dusen, Matthew (27 November 2002). "Gentile wins HD 36 race". Casper Star-Tribune . Newspapers.com . Retrieved 21 December 2024.
5. "Natrona County -- Official Special Election House District 36 Results -- November 26, 2002" (PDF). WY SOS. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
6. "Statewide Legislative Abstract -- Official General Election Results -- November 5, 2002" (PDF). WY SOS. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
7. Brenner, Noah (26 November 2008). "Roscoe wins seat in House". Jackson Hole News & Guide. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
8. "Statewide House Districts Official Summary Wyoming General Election - November 4, 2008" (PDF). WY SOS. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
9. "House District 22 Official Summary Wyoming Special Election - November 25, 2008" (PDF). WY SOS. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
10. "Wyoming Canvassing Board sets special election in HD 18". Billings Gazette. 24 August 2016. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
11. "Sweetwater County Official Precinct-by-Precinct Summary Wyoming Primary Election - August 16, 2016" (PDF). WY SOS. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
12. "weetwater County Official Precinct-by-Precinct Summary Republican Precinct 5-4 Only Wyoming Special Election - August 31, 2016" (PDF). WY SOS. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
13. "tatewide House Candidates Official Summary Wyoming Primary Election - August 16, 2016" (PDF). WY SOS. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
14. "House District 18 Official Summary Wyoming Special Election - August 31, 2016" (PDF). WY SOS. Retrieved 21 December 2024.