Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon has signed House Bill 0337 (HB 0337) into law, effectively banning foreign nationals from influencing the state’s election processes. The legislation prohibits foreign individuals and entities from participating in decision-making within political action committees and organizations that must register with the Secretary of State, including those involved in statewide initiatives or referendums.
This move positions Wyoming as the tenth state to enact such restrictions, joining California, Colorado, Maine, Maryland, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Washington. The law aims to safeguard the integrity of Wyoming’s elections by ensuring that only citizens and lawful residents can influence electoral outcomes.
The legislation received bipartisan support in the state legislature, reflecting a unified commitment to protecting the electoral process from foreign interference. Prior to this law, Wyoming ranked 33rd out of 51 in The Heritage Foundation’s Election Integrity Scorecard, particularly scoring zero out of three in restricting private funding of election officials and government agencies.
Secretary of State Chuck Gray, who had previously raised concerns about foreign election interference, praised the enactment of HB 0337. He emphasized the importance of preventing third-party funding in election administration to maintain the integrity and trustworthiness of the electoral process.
Heritage Action for America, a conservative advocacy group, also commended Wyoming’s legislative action. Catherine Gunsalus, the organization’s Director of State Advocacy, stated that the law ensures Wyoming citizen’s interests are prioritized above those of foreign billionaires, thereby strengthening the state’s election integrity.
The passage of HB 0337 reflects a broader national trend to enhance election security by limiting foreign influence. As more states adopt similar measures, the collective aim is to bolster public confidence in the democratic process and ensure that elections are decided solely by eligible voters within the United States.
