Secretary of State

Election Procedures

Effective Date: 04/11/2022 to Current

Rule Type: Current Rules & Regulations

Reference Number: 002.0005.28.04112022

Chapter 28

Direct Coordination

Section 1. Authority. The Secretary of State is authorized to promulgate these rules under W.S. 22-25-102(a).

Section 2. Applicability. This chapter applies to Wyoming political action committees and political parties that accept any contribution from an organization as provided in W.S. 22-25-102(a), as well as all candidates, and candidate campaign committees, as defined in W.S. 22-1-102(a). This chapter does not apply to any Wyoming political action committee or political party that has not received any contribution from an organization.

Section 3. Definition of direct coordination. For the purposes of W.S. 22-25-102(a), “direct coordination” means any of the following:

1. (a) Any contribution of funds, other items of value, or election assistance from a political action committee or political party to a candidate or a candidate’s campaign committee resulting from an actual or implied agreement;
2. (b) Communication between a candidate or candidate’s campaign committee and a political action committee or political party for the purpose of aiding the election of a candidate, limited to the following:
3. (i) Requesting or suggesting a contribution or expenditure of funds, other items of value, or election assistance by a political action committee or political party to, or on behalf of, a candidate or a candidate’s campaign committee, including in-kind contributions or expenditures;
4. (ii) Requesting or suggesting a contribution or expenditure of funds, other items of value, or election assistance by a candidate or any officer of a candidate’s campaign committee to, or on behalf of, a political action committee or political party, including in-kind contributions or expenditures;
5. (iii) A political action committee or political party republishing, disseminating, or distributing, in whole or part, any campaign material or advertisement created or prepared by the candidate or candidate’s campaign committee;
6. (iv) A political action committee or political party spending funds based on non-public information that:
   1. (A) Originated from the candidate, that candidate’s campaign committee, an entity that received the non-public information from the candidate or that candidate’s campaign committee, or any agent thereof; and
   2. (B) Is used for the benefit of, or to further the candidate’s interests.

(v) Any written, verbal, or electronic discussion between a candidate or officer of a candidate’s campaign committee and a political action committee or political party regarding campaign strategy, campaign funding, or campaign advertising for the candidate’s campaign.

Section 4. Complaint procedures. Any person suspecting a violation of W.S. 22-25-102(a) by a political action committee or political party may file a written complaint in accordance with W.S. 22-26-121 and shall include any supporting documentation of the alleged violation, along with the complaint.