List of Wyoming ballot measures

The U.S. state of Wyoming has had a system of direct voting since 1968, when voters adopted a constitutional amendment allowing measures to be placed on the ballot. Only years when ballot measures were on the general election ballot are listed.

Background

Wyoming's ballot measure procedure has been described by the Initiative & Referendum Institute as "one of the most onerous" in the nation.^[1] In order to place a citizen-initiated initiative on the ballot, measure sponsors must gather signatures equal to 15% of ballots cast in the previous election, along with at least 15% of voters in two-thirds of Wyoming counties. These requirements, coupled with the legislature's ability to remove ballot measures if they adopt a substantially similar law, make placing measures on the ballot exceptionally difficult.^{[1][2]: 33–34} As a result, most measures voted on in the general election are placed on the ballot by the legislature, not the voters.^[1]

There are three types of ballot measures in Wyoming:^[3]

• Initiated state statues are measures that would create new state law. They are sponsored by voters and placed on the ballot after meeting signature requirements.
• Legislatively-referred constitutional amendments are changes to the Wyoming Constitution and are automatically placed on the ballot after approval by the legislature.
• Veto referenda are measures to repeal state law. They are sponsored by voters and placed on the ballot after meeting signature requirements.

1968—1999

1968

Measure Name	Description	Status	Yes Votes	No Votes
Amendment No. 1	A constitutional amendment to repeal the school poll tax[4]: 1–2	Passed[5]	73,872 (69.47%)	32,457 (30.53%)
Amendment No. 2	A constitutional amendment to create an initiative & referendum system in Wyoming, provided such measures receive at least 100 signatures in support[4]: 1–2	Passed[5]	72,009 (74.77%)	24,299 (25.23%)

1970

Measure Name	Description	Status	Yes Votes	No Votes
Amendment 1	A constitutional amendment relating to public funds[4]: 3–5	Passed[6]	75,996 (78.63%)	20,648 (21.37%)
Amendment 2	A constitutional amendment lowering the voting age to 19[4]: 3–5	Failed[6][a]	53,997 (52.72%)	48,418 (47.28%)
Amendment 3	A constitutional amendment allowing the state to invest education funds[4]: 3–5	Passed[6]	64,970 (62.29%)	30,170 (31.71%)
Amendment 4	A constitutional amendment relating to the salaries of public officials[4]: 3–5	Failed[6][b]	56,940 (60.01%)	37,940 (39.99%)
Amendment 5	A constitutional amendment relating to the investment of county school funds[4]: 3–5	Passed[6]	63,554 (67.52%)	30,570 (32.48%)

1972

Measure Name	Description	Status	Yes Votes	No Votes
Amendment 1	A constitutional amendment providing a form of home rule for cities and towns[4]: 6–9	Passed[7]	97,026 (76.18%)	30,339 (23.82%)
Amendment 3	A constitutional amendment permitting state legislators to accept appointments to other offices[4]: 6–9	Failed[7][c]	72,798 (56.71%)	55,580 (43.29%)
Amendment 4	A constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to increase the number of justices on the Wyoming Supreme Court[4]: 6–9	Passed[7]	86,539 (66.97%)	42,676 (33.03%)
Amendment 5	A constitutional amendment stating that the legislature should meet for no more than 60 working days per period[4]: 6–9	Passed[7]	76,170 (60.27%)	50,209 (39.73%)
Amendment 6	A constitutional amendment allowing counties to levy an annual tax[4]: 6–9	Failed[7]	51,895 (40.69%)	75,630 (59.31%)
Amendment 7	A constitutional amendment allowing counties to create indebtedness[4]: 6–9	Failed[7]	63,239 (49.97%)	63,315 (50.03%)

1974

Measure Name	Description	Status	Yes Votes	No Votes
Amendment 1	A constitutional amendment creating new protections against double taxation[4]: 10–11	Unclear[4]: 10–11 [d]	77,513 (68.42%)	35,771 (31.58%)
Amendment 2	A constitutional amendment creating a mineral excise tax[4]: 10–11	Unclear[4]: 10–11 [e]	78,842 (70.87%)	32,414 (29.13%)
Amendment 3	A constitutional amendment establishing a statewide school levy[4]: 10–11	Failed[4]: 10–11	51,392 (45.06%)	62,667 (54.94%)

1976

Measure Name	Description	Status	Yes Votes	No Votes
Amendment 1	A constitutional amendment relating to judges[8]	Passed[8]	92,559 (66.48%)	46,664 (33.52%)
Amendment 2	A constitutional amendment increasing the city, county, and school indebtedness limit[8]	Failed[8]	43,951 (31.29%)	96,526 (68.71%)
Amendment 3	A constitutional amendment relating to the Wyoming criminal code[8]	Passed[8]	106,931 (77.50%)	31,045 (22.50%)

1978

Measure Name	Description	Status	Yes Votes	No Votes
Amendment 1	A constitutional amendment permitting women to work in mines[4]: 12–13	Passed[9]	82,957 (66.11%)	44,446 (34.89%)
Amendment 2	A constitutional amendment equalizing school funding across all districts[4]: 12–13	Passed[9]	83,552 (66.24%)	42,586 (33.76%)
Amendment 3	A constitutional amendment permitting the construction of a state prison for men and a state prison for women[4]: 12–13	Passed[9]	82,537 (65.00%)	44,445 (35.00%)

1980

Measure Name	Description	Status	Yes Votes	No Votes
Amendment 1	A constitutional amendment providing for juries of less than twelve members in misdemeanor trials[4]: 14	Failed[4]: 14	44,446 (19.71%)	181,004 (80.29%)

1982

Measure Name	Description	Status	Yes Votes	No Votes
Amendment 1	A constitutional amendment permitting the legislature to invest state funds[4]: 15–16	Failed[10][f]	77,005 (50.81%)	74,548 (49.19%)
Amendment 2	A constitutional amendment increase state education taxes[4]: 15–16	Passed[10]	100,820 (65.80%)	52,409 (34.20%)
Amendment 3	A constitutional amendment allowing the state treasurer to seek re-election[4]: 15–16	Passed[10]	126,985 (82.58%)	26,788 (17.42%)

1984

Measure Name	Description	Status	Yes Votes	No Votes
Amendment 1	A constitutional amendment allowing the legislature to write off uncollected debts in certain circumstances[4]: 17–18	Passed[11]	119,757 (67.98%)	56,402 (32.02%)
Amendment 2	A constitutional amendment allowing the investment of employee retirement funds[4]: 17–18	Passed[11]	116,791 (66.20%)	59,637 (33.80%)
Amendment 3	A constitutional amendment clarifying that officials appointed by the governor can be removed by the governor[4]: 17–18	Failed[11][g]	87,920 (50.31%)	86,829 (49.69%)

1986

Measure Name	Description	Status	Yes Votes	No Votes
Amendment 1	A constitutional amendment modifying the pass requirements for ballot measures in Wyoming[4]: 18–21	Passed[12]	104,759 (72.19%)	40,357 (27.81%)
Amendment 2	A constitutional amendment allowing the governor to remove state officials appointed by the same governor[4]: 18–21	Passed[12]	128,476 (84.07%)	24,348 (15.93%)
Amendment 3	A constitutional amendment allowing the legislature to modify the duties of the state board of equalization[4]: 18–21	Passed[12]	107,507 (73.86%)	38,050 (26.14%)
Amendment 4	A constitutional amendment allowing the legislature to create a state investment fund for economic development loans[4]: 18–21	Passed[12]	111,590 (72.93%)	41,420 (27.07%)
Amendment 5	A constitutional amendment providing that any increase in judicial salaries apply to all judges[4]: 18–21	Failed[12][h]	79,557 (52.98%)	70,602 (47.02%)
Amendment 6	A constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to expand workers compensation[4]: 18–21	Passed[12]	106,591 (71.57%)	42,339 (28.43%)

1988

Measure Name	Description	Status	Yes Votes	No Votes
Amendment 1	A constitutional amendment allowing the legislature to create three classes of property for the purposes of taxation[4]: 22	Passed[13]	133,677 (77.15%)	39,597 (22.85%)

1990

Measure Name	Description	Status	Yes Votes	No Votes
Amendment 1	A constitutional amendment to prevent sheriffs from keeping fees collected in civil cases[4]: 23–24	Passed[14]	124,789 (81.11%)	29,054 (18.89%)
Amendment 2	A constitutional amendment to allow the legislature to appoint a state examiner, geologist, and inspector of mines[4]: 23–24	Passed[14]	82,233 (55.73%)	65,317 (44.27%)
Amendment 3	A constitutional amendment transferring the powers of the Wyoming state board of charities to the legislature[4]: 23–24	Passed[14]	86,195 (59.88%)	57,763 (40.12%)
Amendment 4	A constitutional amendment restricting the use of public employee retirement funds to purposes directly benefiting public employees[4]: 23–24	Passed[14]	112,213 (75.45%)	36,511 (24.55%)

1992

Measure Name	Description	Status	Yes Votes	No Votes
Constitutional Amendment 1	A constitutional amendment to allow the legislature to invest the state permanent fund in equities[15]	Unclear[15][i]	--	--
Initiative 1	An initiative to ban triple trailers in Wyoming[15]	Passed[15][16]	165,879 (83.83%)	31,997 (16.17%)
Initiative 2	An initiative to establish term limits for elected officials in Wyoming[15]	Passed[15][16]	150,113 (77.00%)	44,424 (23.00%)
Initiative 3	An initiative to increase railroad regulation[15]	Passed[15][16]	130,646 (71.28%)	52,835 (28.72%)

1994

Measure Name	Description	Status	Yes Votes	No Votes
Constitutional Amendment 1	A constitutional amendment to create a criminal sentence of life without parole and to limit the governor's parole power[15]	Passed[j]	--	--
Constitutional Amendment 2	A constitutional amendment to allow the legislature to invest up to 25% of the state's permanent fund in equities[15]	Failed[k]	--	--
Initiative 1	An initiative to prohibit abortions except in cases where pregnancy endangers the mother's life, rape, or incest[15]	Failed[15][16]	61,980 (31.09%)	137,379 (68.91%)
Initiative 2	An initiative to permit some forms of gambling at the county level subject to a vote of the people[15]	Failed[15][16]	75,547 (60.20%)	114,273 (39.80%)
Initiative 3	An initiative to allow the state treasurer to invest up to $500 million in financial institutions[15]	Failed[15][16]	78,978 (39.94%)	118,760 (60.06%)

1996

Measure Name	Description	Status	Yes Votes	No Votes
Constitutional Amendment A	A constitutional amendment relating to redistricting[15]	Failed[17]	91,081 (48.46%)	96,857 (51.54%)
Constitutional Amendment B	A constitutional amendment restoring voting rights to most mentally ill people[15]	Passed[17]	122,658 (65.46%)	64,722 (34.54%)
Constitutional Amendment C	A constitutional amendment allowing state funds to be invested in corporate stocks if the legislature dictates[15]	Passed[17]	126,587 (64.81%)	68,727 (35.19%)
Constitutional Amendment D	A constitutional amendment strengthening the Commission on Judicial Conduct and Ethics[15]	Passed[17]	177,513 (89.08%)	21,751 (10.92%)
Initiative No. 1	An initiative requiring candidates for office to indicate whether they support term limits on the ballot[15]	Failed[17]	105,093 (54.14%)	89,018 (45.86%)
Initiative No. 2	An initiative to repeal Senate Enrolled Act 4, which extended term limits for legislators[15]	Failed[17]	104,544 (53.70%)	90,138 (46.30%)

1998

Measure Name	Description	Status	Yes Votes	No Votes
Constitutional Amendment A	A constitutional amendment allowing the legislature to reapportion its membership as soon as census data is available[18]	Passed[19]	117,638 (74.95%)	39,321 (25.05%)
Constitutional Amendment B	A constitutional amendment modifying the requirements for citizen-initiated measures to be placed on the ballot[18]	Passed[19]	97,846 (61.76%)	60,582 (38.24%)
Constitutional Amendment C	A constitutional amendment mandating that funds allocated to Wyoming's Workers Compensation Fund only be used for specific purposes[18]	Passed[19]	143,920 (88.24%)	19,178 (11.76%)

2000—

2000

Measure Name	Description	Status	Yes Votes	No Votes
Constitutional Amendment B	A constitutional amendment expanding the eligibility requirements for the Wyoming National Guard[15]	Passed[20]	125,841 (64.61%)	68,927 (35.39%)

2002

Measure Name	Description	Status	Yes Votes	No Votes
Constitutional Amendment A	A constitutional amendment allowing the legislature to convene special legislative sessions if a majority of members agree[21]	Passed[22]	112,438 (66.29%)	57,187 (33.71%)
Constitutional Amendment B	A constitutional amendment allowing the legislature to handle disputes relating to presidential electors[21]	Passed[22]	110,906 (65.78%)	57,708 (34.22%)
Constitutional Amendment C	A constitutional amendment limiting the governor's line-item veto authority only to general appropriations bills[21]	Failed[22]	73,240 (44.22%)	92,396 (55.78%)
Constitutional Amendment D	A constitutional amendment requiring constitutional amendments be submitted to the voters before being approved by the Governor[21]	Failed[22]	87,786 (52.74%)	78,679 (47.26%)

2004

Measure Name	Description	Status	Yes Votes	No Votes
Constitutional Amendment A	A constitutional amendment to allow school districts to bring in more revenue yearly[23]	Failed[24]	122,038 (55.78%)	96,762 (44.22%)
Constitutional Amendment B	A constitutional amendment allowing the legislature to authorize local governments to access expanded funding sources provided they receive vocal approval[23]	Passed[24]	148,808 (66.16%)	76,115 (33.84%)
Constitutional Amendment C	A constitutional amendment to allow the legislature to create laws requiring dispute resolution before medical malpractice lawsuits[23]	Passed[24]	124,178 (52.99%)	110,169 (47.01%)
Constitutional Amendment D	A constitutional amendment allowing the legislature to create laws limiting damages in medical malpractice lawsuits[23]	Failed[24]	115,981 (49.65%)	117,602 (50.35%)

2006

Measure Name	Description	Status	Yes Votes	No Votes
Constitutional Amendment A	A constitutional amendment clarifying that all money in the Permanent Wyoming Mineral Trust Fund are permanent funds of the state[15]	Passed[25]	130,735 (74.05%)	45,817 (25.95%)
Constitutional Amendment B	A constitutional amendment allowing a greater amount of money to be distributed throughout the state for the purpose of funding school districts[15]	Passed[26]	107,481 (58.15%)	77,338 (41.85%)
Constitutional Amendment C	A constitutional amendment creating a permanent fund for higher education scholarships and quality improvements[15]	Passed[27]	139,396 (75.05%)	46,342 (24.95%)

2008

Measure Name	Description	Status	Yes Votes	No Votes
Constitutional Amendment A	A constitutional amendment rewriting the oath of office required for public officials to take office[28]	Passed[29]	191,787 (81.75%)	42,821 (18.25%)
Constitutional Amendment B	A constitutional amendment modifying the requirements for citizen-led initiatives to be placed on the ballot[28]	Failed[29]	120,333 (54.21%)	101,655 (45.79%)

2012

Measure Name	Description	Status	Yes Votes	No Votes
Constitutional Amendment A	A constitutional amendment forbidding a mandatory health care system in Wyoming and allowing citizens to pay any health care provider for services[30]	Passed[31]	181,984 (76.98%)	54,405 (23.02%)
Constitutional Amendment B	A constitutional amendment establishing a citizen's right to hunt and fish[30]	Passed[31]	212,561 (89.26%)	25,564 (10.74%)
Constitutional Amendment C	A constitutional amendment expanding the authority of district court commissioners[30]	Failed[31]	88,562 (41.90%)	122,824 (58.10%)

2014

Measure Name	Description	Status	Yes Votes	No Votes
Constitutional Amendment A	A constitutional amendment allowing the Governor of Wyoming to appoint non-Wyoming citizens to the University of Wyoming board of trustees[32]	Failed[33]	47,979 (29.51%)	114,597 (70.49%)

2016

Measure Name	Description	Status	Yes Votes	No Votes
Constitutional Amendment A	A constitutional amendment allowing the legislature to authorize the investment of public money in equities[34]	Passed[35]	132,739 (56.29%)	103,071 (43.71%)

2020

Measure Name	Description	Status	Yes Votes	No Votes
Constitutional Amendment A	A constitutional amendment to allow municipalities to take on additional debt for sewer projects[36]	Failed[37]	126,589 (51.17%)	120,808 (48.83%)

2022

Measure Name	Description	Status	Yes Votes	No Votes
Constitutional Amendment A	A constitutional amendment to allow local governments such as counties and cities to invest public funds in equities[38]	Passed[39]	103,389 (56.78%)	78,714 (43.22%)
Constitutional Amendment B	A constitutional amendment to increase the retirement age for judges from 70 to 75[38]	Failed[39]	74,650 (39.19%)	115,838 (60.81%)

2024

Measure Name	Description	Status	Yes Votes	No Votes
Constitutional Amendment A	A constitutional amendment creating new property tax rates for residential properties and owner-occupied primary residences.[40]	Passed[41]	146,336 (59.31%)	100,392 (40.69%)

See also

• Elections in Wyoming

Notes

1. Required at least 61,178 votes to pass
2. Required at least 61,178 votes to pass
3. Required at least 75,771 total votes to pass
4. Total election returns were unable to be located for this year, so it is unclear whether this measure received the requisite votes to pass
5. Total election returns were unable to be located for this year, so it is unclear whether this measure received the requisite votes to pass
6. Required at least 86,033 votes to pass
7. Required at least 98,078 votes to pass
8. Required at least 84,327 votes to pass
9. Vote totals were unable to be located for this measure
10. Vote totals were unable to be located for this measure
11. Vote totals were unable to be located for this measure