13:19 | Voters continue to brave the cold to line up in Laramie

LARAMIE—An hour-long line filled the Spring Creek School polling place Tuesday before noon. Voters rushed from vehicles to the building, hands in their pockets and heads down against the wind and occasional gusts. Most were able to line up in the warmth of the school hallways.

Some, however, stopped to discuss what led them to vote, including their values ​​aligned with former President Donald Trump, voting against Trump, voting for Kamala Harris, voting for reproductive rights, voting for border policies, voting to influence local elections or simply vote to vote. One person expressed concern about nuclear war.

Carol Uhl said she was happy to participate in elections, especially local elections like school board and city council. When asked how he felt about election integrity, he said, “I think things will be fair.”

“People are working very hard and I think it’s unfair for them to criticize election workers. “They are doing the best they can,” he said, adding, “I will be glad when it is all over.”

Some wildland firefighters also stopped by and said they felt Trump made some “really uninformed” comments about their work and that they believed the Biden administration had worked to better compensate and support them in recent years.

As the morning progressed, the line of cars and people showed no signs of slowing down.

Updated by Madelyn Beck

12:01 pm | Local initiatives and the economy are a priority for Casper voters

CASPER—A line of voters donned coats, hats and gloves to brave intermittent sleet and snow this morning at Natrona County’s largest voting center. While many cited the presidential race as their primary motivation for getting out to vote, others are paying close attention to local races and initiatives.

Casper resident Haley Lensert has two sons who participate in the Casper Oilers hockey program and the players desperately need a second layer of ice in the city, she said.

“That’s been a big issue in our family and we want to see the sport grow,” Lensert told WyoFile, adding that he supports the whole host of local tax initiatives, including an additional gym, replacing a chairlift in the city. .. manage the Hogadon Basin ski area and improve the local animal shelter.

“I came to vote for the city’s proposed proposals to add an additional six-cent tax to provide additional services our city desperately needs,” Lensert said. “Our city continues to grow and we must support it.”

Jeremy Norcross, 42, said he’s most concerned about the cost of living, and while he hasn’t paid much attention to local elections, he believes presidential candidate Donald Trump can best improve the economy “everywhere.” the areas.”

“I really wanted to vote for Donald Trump this year,” he said.

Similarly, Garrett Thurman’s main motivation for voting was to reject any new taxes or tax increases. The 28-year-old Casper resident said he was eager to vote for Trump because he wants to get “the economy back on track.”

“We need to lower the cost of living and lower taxes,” Thurman said.

Updated by Dustin Bleizeffer

10:50 am | In Fremont County, voter lines and presidential anxiety

LANDER—A line of voters crowded together in near-freezing temperatures just before polls opened at 7 a.m. in Lander. A little more than an hour later, polling station director Yesenia Nations-Iversen estimated that 300 people had already come to cast their votes, and a steady crowd continued to arrive.

After casting their ballots, voters told WyoFile they were there for women’s reproductive rights, to protect freedom, and because it is their duty as citizens. Voters were cautious about talking about the candidates they supported, perhaps a sign that they fear judgment or retaliation. When asked what prompted her to vote, Carol King of Lander admitted the first answer that came to mind was “save our country.”

She, like many voters, is very worried about the presidential election and was feeling nervous.

“I’m so full of anxiety I’m about to cry like a baby,” she said. “I really want things to calm down in our country and for us all to be able to get along.”

Lander pastor Darin Buse brought his service dog, Brie, for “moral support.”

Even in Wyoming, he said, where the overwhelming Republican population can make election results inevitable, he believes everyone should vote their conscience. Along with the presidential race, Buse echoed the concerns of others when he said he is interested in the results of a race for the local school board. Although nonpartisan, that race has been divided on political lines. What matters most to him, he said, is the board members’ thoughtful concern for students.

“Your decisions definitely shape how our future is shaping up,” he said.

Updated by Katie Klingsporn

09:53 | A windy election day gets off to a good start in Laramie

LARAMIE—Amid a warning of high winds and near-freezing temperatures, voters formed a line snaking out of the gym and into the windy weather at Laramie High School this morning. It was about an hour wait and at least one woman turned around and realized she needed more layers.

There were at least a handful of new voters bundled up in line, excited to cast their first official vote. The Moore family was there with their daughter Campbell, a first-time voter, who said, “I’m excited to get out there and do the right thing and do what I can do through my vote.

“I think everyone should vote,” he added.

Others had lined up before and wanted to make their voices heard in local elections, particularly on the school board. Among them were Tolu Oduyomi and David Keto, both with children in the district.

“I wish there were more options for the school board,” Keto said. “I certainly understand the need for the budget cuts they are having to make and it is not easy, but more communication would at least make it more acceptable.”

Further down the line, first-time voter Aurora Welker said she was excited to cast her vote for Kamala Harris, saying she wanted to vote what felt right to her.

And still others talked about the property tax amendment, which Dennis Shannon thought was a good idea.

There was a lot of light left on election day, but the polls opened with a bang.

Updated by Madelyn Beck

8:40 am | Voters crowd the Carbon County polling station at dawn

RAWLINS—Drifting snow and freezing temperatures greeted dozens of Carbon County residents who packed the parking lot of the Jeffrey County Memorial Center at dawn on Election Day as voting began at 7 a.m.

It is likely that many of those dawn voters, who arrived in this first hour of sunlight to cast their ballots, then headed to work.

During the 2020 presidential election, three out of four Carbon County voters were in favor Donald Trump on President Joe Biden. Four years later, the ousted president faces the current vice president, Kamala Harris.

That race is expected to be close and potentially no winner will be declared on Election Day. However, vote counting in the south-central county of about 14,000 people should be completed this afternoon.

In Carbon County and throughout Wyoming, polls close at 7 p.m.

Updated by Mike Koshmrl

6:28 am | Wyomingites lined up around the block to vote on election eve

LARAMIE—Lines grew at polling places across the state Monday, with some voters taking more than an hour to cast their ballot the day before the official election.

In Cheyenne, the line was “down the street and around the corner,” Laramie County Clerk Debra Lee told WyoFile. More than 42% of registered voters cast their ballots in person before Election Day, he said, and after adding mail-in ballots, early voting increased to 56%. Lines at early voting locations could last 1.5 to 2 hours at 2:30 p.m., Lee said, but people were being patient.

Workers haven’t seen lines this long since perhaps 2016, he said. Early voter turnout was higher in 2020, but without waiting, because many people cast their ballots by mail, Lee added.

In Laramie, voters donned coats and thick sweaters to wait in a line that snaked around the Albany County Courthouse to cast their ballots early. Some had already been there for over an hour at 3 pm. Between in-person voters and absentee ballots, county elections coordinator Stacey Harvey said half of Albany County’s registered voters had already made their voices heard by early Monday afternoon.

On the opposite side of the state, Sheridan County Supervisor of Elections James Temple said his office has also remained busy, with more than 4,000 people, or nearly 40% of the total registered voters there, casting ballots. at 9 a.m. Monday. There were just over 1,000 people who voted early in the primary, he said, adding that “it was an incredible difference from what we’re actually seeing now.”

Statewide, about 100,000 residents — nearly 40% of registered voters — had cast their ballots as of Friday afternoon, the Wyoming Secretary of State’s Office reported. That easily overcomes early voting in this year’s primaries.

Updated by Madelyn Beck

4:25 am | Ready to vote? Check out WyoFile’s voting guide.

It’s Election Day and if you’re still trying to do your homework, WyoFile can help. Our electoral guide features questions and answers from dozens of congressional and legislative candidates from across Wyoming, as well as information on the property tax constitutional amendment proposal and judicial retention. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Not sure where to vote? Wyoming Secretary of State Survey Locator Can Help.

Updated by Joshua Wolfson and Tennessee Watson