We have an election integrity problem in Wyoming, but it isn’t with the administration of our elections. Our elections are safe and secure and the clerks do an excellent job making sure of that.
No, in Wyoming, our election integrity problem is dark money.
It’s the same problem that's happening across this nation: the dark money coming in from out of state, from out of the country, has tainted elections all across the nation.
We’re on track for this to be the most expensive midterm election in American history. Political ad spending alone will top $10 billion nationwide.
Spending is up here, too – mostly on attack ads coming from out-of-state groups. We used to have to go out and persuade voters; now we have to counteract slander.
I believe it has affected every elected official in our state.
At some point, we've each been attacked by people we don't know. We don't have any idea where the money comes from, and in many cases we don't have any idea why we’re being targeted or what the agenda is for the people behind it.
Yesterday, I testified in Interim Joint Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions to bring attention to the issue of money in politics because my job is to protect election integrity and address this issue.
I asked the committee to take up a commonsense resolution calling on Congress to introduce a Constitutional amendment and send it to the states for ratification to restore the power to the states. Because, as lawmakers in Wyoming, our hands are tied. For 50 years, federal judges have been chipping away at the decisions that state lawmakers can make when it comes to campaign finance laws at the state level.
Decisions work best when they're made close to home. And the people who make the rules need to answer to voters.
Mayor Leah Juarez of Mills testified alongside me. She gave spectacular testimony describing exactly how national money and its national agenda is pressing down into elections. Mills is a town of 5,000 people and dark money is still flowing in to try to drive the outcome.
We asked the committee to take up this simple resolution and take the first step – on the record – to say we’re committed to getting dark money out of Wyoming’s elections and returning power to the people. Because, what we’re down to right now is the guy with the most money has the most rights.
Unfortunately, the committee failed to take up the resolution. Members of the Freedom Caucus – all members of the House who lost their reelects and complained online and in national publications that it wasn’t voters holding them accountable, it was dark money that beat them – instead voted to protect dark money. Why? I’ll let you be the judge of that.
But the good news is, states are stepping up and taking the power back with resolutions like the one I proposed.
Twenty-five states have already used similar resolutions to call on Congress to propose an amendment like this one. Last year, Utah became the 23rd state to call on Congress for an amendment. This year, Oklahoma and Idaho became the 24thand 25th states. It’s my hope that Wyoming joins them in 2027.
I hope you’ll join me. Together, we can push back on dark money.
It might feel overwhelming – that’s what it’s intended to do – but it doesn’t have to be. Here are just a few things you can do to make a difference: Think critically about the propaganda landing in your mailbox and your texts.
Ask who stands to benefit. After the election, write and call your legislators and the new Governor and Secretary of State. Write to your local paper. Talk to your service clubs and friends and neighbors.
It is time for all of us to stand up and take our elections back.
-Sen. Ed Cooper
Sen. Cooper represents Senate District 20 for Big Horn, Fremont, Hot Springs, Park, and Washakie Counties.
