Advocacy Corner: What to know for next week’s primary election

This blog marks the beginning of a monthly series of nonpartisan advocacy posts by the Natrona Collective Health Trust, aimed at advancing our mission of improving the health of Natrona County residents. Each month, we will explore key issues that impact community well-being, providing insights and information to empower residents. If you have a topic suggestion or question, please reach out to Rachel Bouzis, Director of Policy & Learning.

Why You Need to Vote in this Year’s Primary Election

While November’s presidential race is commanding all our attention right now, here in Wyoming, we have a very significant election in just a few days. Primary Election Day is Tuesday, Aug. 20, and it’s on this day that the majority of the Cowboy State’s 68th Legislature will take shape. Of 77 legislative races, 62 will feature at least two candidates. In 48 of these 62 contested races, only Republican candidates are running, meaning the outcome will be decided entirely in the primary election.

The Trust stands firmly as a non-partisan organization because health is a non-partisan issue. Voting in statewide races directly impacts public health policies and the allocation of resources that influence healthcare access, mental health services, and community health initiatives. Elected officials at the state level will make many decisions that impact health outcomes, including public health funding, healthcare services legislation and insurance gaps.

Voting on Election Day

Voting in-person on Election Day is an experience well-worthy of goosebumps, especially for first time voters. Polls open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. at community centers, churches and other locations across Natrona County. You’ll want to know before you go, so find or double-check your polling place here. There are a few changes for Wyoming voters this election cycle; most notably, every voter must bring a valid form of ID to the polls, like a Wyoming driver’s license, UW or community college student ID, valid passport or one of these. Additionally, voters who have already declared a party may not switch affiliations, though new voters can declare party affiliation at the time of registration.

Other Ways to Vote

Though Wyoming statue requires employers to grant up to one hour of paid time off to vote, this only applies to full-time employees. Moreover, Election Day lines can get dauntingly long throughout the day, and life’s surprises always seem to pop up when we have a full schedule. Early or absentee voting can eliminate all of these uncertainties. Early voting is available now through end-of-day Monday, Aug. 19 in-person at the Natrona County Courthouse.  Absentee ballots must be returned to the County Clerk’s office by 7 p.m. Aug. 20, as they are not accepted at polling places.

Do Some Research

Unfortunately, finding candidates that best represent you and your health isn’t as easy as believing the dozens of postcards you’ve likely received in the last few weeks (read about misleading mailers here, here or here), your Facebook feed, or even recommendations from friends or family. Wyoming is lucky to have robust local journalism, so digging into your own research is easier than it sounds. Learn about timely political issues and races with WyoFile’s dedicated 2024 election coverage or Cowboy State Daily’s government and politics section. Vote411 is a great nonpartisan tool that will identify your senate and house districts and corresponding candidates, then learn about these folks as well as other federal, county and city hopefuls with candidate questionnaires on Oil City News.

Your Vote, Your Health

After you’ve done your research, reach out. Think about the most important mental and physical health decisions you and your family are facing, then ask your candidates directly how their policies will help or hurt. Whether we realize it or not, our state legislators make decisions that impact our health outcomes. Most of these decisions are small, but some are big. This primary election is about more than checking a box; it’s about your health.