Wyoming AG to probe DOJ poll monitors' conduct during primary

Wyoming's attorney general has opened an investigation into the conduct of two U.S. Department of Justice officials who monitored polling places in the state's most populous county during the Aug. 18 primary, according to a spokesperson for Governor Mark Gordon.

The governor described the federal monitors' behavior as "a bit aggressive" and "irregular" during a routine meeting to certify election results. He expressed concern about federal overreach, saying he dislikes the federal government interfering with either gun rights or voting.

The incident occurred in Laramie County, home to the state capital, Cheyenne. County Clerk Debra Lee said the monitors arrived shortly after polls opened at 7 a.m. and sought to interview voters while assessing compliance with federal voting rights laws. Lee said her office denied them permission to conduct interviews inside polling places.

The monitors also questioned local officials about poll worker training, requested training guides, and asked how new election equipment was acquired, Lee said. She noted that Wyoming law only permits observation by certified poll watchers and accused the federal officials of showing "complete disregard" for state laws.

Lee said she was not notified in advance of the monitors' visit. A Justice Department official in Washington told her the decision was made on short notice and that an email may have been sent to the wrong address.

The Justice Department routinely sends monitors to observe elections but they are not supposed to interfere with voting or election administration. The U.S. attorney for Wyoming, Darin Smith, said the monitors were there to ensure transparency and compliance with federal voting rights statutes.

Governor Gordon's spokesperson said the investigation is a "fact-finding mission" and that no one is alleging the monitoring affected the election outcome. Attorney General Keith Kautz, who was appointed by the governor, will lead the review.

The incident comes amid broader concerns about the Justice Department's shifting priorities on voting rights enforcement under President Donald Trump, who has directed federal prosecutors to focus on election fraud claims. Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray, who has amplified such claims, said his office received an email about the monitors but had no other communication with the department.