The lawsuit, originally filed in May 2025 by the Equality State Policy Center and several advocacy organizations, contests the constitutionality of House Bill 156 (HB 156). The law, passed earlier this year, requires individuals to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship and 30-day Wyoming residency in order to register to vote. Plaintiffs argue that the law places an unconstitutional burden on voters and disproportionately affects marginalized communities including women, transgender individuals, Hispanic populations, and those living in rural or low-income areas.
The RNC’s intervention, filed on June 26, 2025, underscores the party’s broader national push to impose stricter voter registration measures under the banner of election integrity. In its filing, the RNC asserted that it has a direct interest in defending the law, citing its organizational mission to ensure only eligible U.S. citizens vote in elections. The committee emphasized its experience in similar legal battles across the country and insisted that the law helps safeguard the electoral process from potential fraud.
Secretary of State Chuck Gray — who has publicly questioned the legitimacy of the 2020 presidential election and is often labeled an “election-denier” — welcomed the RNC’s support. Gray has championed HB 156 as a “commonsense” step to protect the sanctity of the ballot box, despite widespread criticism that it could disenfranchise thousands of voters across the state.
Opponents, however, warn that the law is not only unnecessary but potentially unconstitutional. They point out that voter fraud in Wyoming is virtually nonexistent and that HB 156’s vague documentation standards leave many voters unsure of what qualifies as proof of citizenship. Additionally, they argue that the new law will place unnecessary obstacles in the path of voters who may lack access to the required documents — a concern particularly relevant in rural and Native communities.
Legal experts say the case will test the constitutional boundaries of what states can require from voters and could have ripple effects far beyond Wyoming. Should the RNC’s motion to intervene be granted, the case may attract greater national attention and potentially influence similar legislative efforts in other conservative-leaning states.
