4:49 p.m. | In deep blue Wilson, voters talk about democracy, choice, freedom WILSON—Voters on the West Bank of Teton County’s Snake River talked about democracy, personal choice and freedom in this deep blue corner of Wyoming where 80% of the North Wilson precinct voted for Kamala Harris and Joe Biden in 2020. John Walker said flat out he had voted against Donald Trump. Regardless of the fact that Wyoming’s three electoral votes will likely go for Trump — the Republican won 69% of Wyoming’s statewide vote in 2020 — Walker said his ballot “will help the popular vote” and help indicate how the country’s population as a whole feels about the two presidential candidates. Deborah Lundy based her vote on “my future, personal autonomy, the right to make my own decisions about my own life,” she said after casting a ballot. For Kathie Chandler, freedom and democracy were top of mind. “Protecting women and not having a politician tell me what to do with my body” was the most important issue for her. Regardless of who wins the presidential election, citizens have work ahead, said Rick Hunt. “I hope everybody has four years of patience,” he said. “We need to support democracy. It’s more important than who gets elected.” Updated by Angus M. Thuermer Jr. 3:52 p.m. | At reservation polling place, many voters re-register or sign up for the first time FORT WASHAKIE—During the primary election in August, just 130 people voted in this school gym in the southern part of the Wind River Indian Reservation. On Tuesday, nearly 100 people had voted by 11 a.m. — putting it on track to easily eclipse primary turnout. “It feels like it’s been very busy,” polling station manager Brad Christensen said as a line formed near the front door. Many voters were casting ballots for their first time, he said, or for the first time in many years, which required re-registering. “That’s holding things up,” he said.  Two poll watchers sat on chairs silently observing the queue of people, who registered before disappearing behind cubbies with their ballots. Voters were there primarily for the presidential election, they told WyoFile, with hopes that the new president will lead to a calmer and more cooperative world.  A man votes inside a cubby at the Fort Washakie School polling place on Nov. 5, 2024. (Katie Klingsporn/WyoFile) “We need a change,” said one Eastern Shoshone woman who declined to give her name. Jessica Bell of Fort Washakie, meanwhile, wasn’t shy about her pick. “I’m voting for Kamala,” Bell said, citing reproductive rights. Bell also cast a vote for Democratic candidate Ivan Posey, an Eastern Shoshone man who is challenging incumbent Republican Sarah Penn, a non-native nurse practitioner for the House District 33 state seat. Bell has long known Posey, she said, who she said is a community leader.  Nadine Meeks, a longtime resident of Fort Washakie, also spoke of fairness. No matter the elected position, Meeks said, “I believe everybody needs to work together.” And though House District 33 extends beyond the reservation to towns like Atlantic City and Hudson, Meeks also noted it would be important for the majority-native constituents to have representation in the Legislature. “They need to have a voice,” she said.   If elected, Posey would be the sole Indigenous lawmaker in the state body. Updated by Katie Klingsporn 2:53 p.m. | Harris is expected to win over women by wide margins. Will that hold true in Wyoming? RAWLINS—Conniving. Racist. Bigot. Those were among the choice words that 79-year-old Rawlins resident Julia Gomez used to describe former President Donald Trump on Tuesday morning when asked what motivated her to vote. “We need to get Trump out of office,” Gomez told WyoFile just after casting her ballot. “I got out of bed just for that.”  Julia Gomez in Rawlins on Nov. 5, 2024. (Mike Koshmrl/WyoFile) Gomez’s support for Democratic Party nominee Kamala Harris in this week’s presidential election almost assuredly won’t be shared by the majority of Wyoming residents. Trump appealed to nearly 70% of voters in the nation’s least-populated state during his failed 2020 run against Joe Biden — his highest vote share out of all 50 states.  While the Equality State’s electorate is highly unlikely to drift far enough away from Trump to change Wyoming’s three electoral votes, dynamics could shift significantly among women. For months, national polling data has hinted at major divides between genders, with women breaking for Harris and Trump carrying men.  Time will tell if Wyoming women break for Harris to the degree some polls forecasted. But a nonscientific query of women outside the polling station in downtown Rawlins found that two-thirds of them — four out of six women willing to share their views — favored Harris.  Betty Patterson, 73, explained that she was voting with the interests of her family in mind.  “I have two daughters and three granddaughters,” Patterson said. Their interests and control over their body, she said, are at stake. “They’re in the age range.” Betty Patterson in Rawlins on Nov. 5, 2024. (Mike Koshmrl/WyoFile) Abortion loomed large in the mind of Patterson, who said she’s voted for “a lot of Republicans” over the years. During his single term as president, Trump appointed three justices — Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett — who tilted the U.S. Supreme Court farther to the right and overturned the half-century-old precedent of Roe v. Wade that protected women’s right to an abortion.  No one issue rose above all others in Debbie Walker’s mind after voting Tuesday. The 66-year-old Rawlins woman was just ready to be done with a “dirty” race, “divisive” times and wanted to see unity restored to the United States. One candidate, she said, is better equipped to get that done.  “It’s not Donald Trump,” Walker said. “He’s a lying, cheating man. He’s crazy. He shouldn’t even be running for office.”  Of course, pro-Trump women strolled out of the Jeffrey Memorial Community Center as well on Tuesday morning.  Elaine Ciss, 54, was a recent transplant who landed in Rawlins after fleeing southern California, which she likened to “hell.” Trump, she said, earned her vote because she believes he’ll be better for the economy, for the border and for the overall safety of the nation. If the former president loses his second consecutive election bid on Tuesday, it’s not an outcome that she’ll trust or accept.  “It’s already rigged,” Ciss said. “If it’s all above board, what’s the problem? Let people watch.”  An official poll watcher, present to monitor the vote, stood a few feet behind her. Updated by Mike Koshmrl 2:15 p.m. | Election will determine whether government reflects individual values, Natrona County voters say Despite concerns that national politics play an oversized role in everyday life in Wyoming, voters in Natrona County say this year’s election is about whether government at all levels truly represent people’s values. “We all are concerned that we have a just and righteous government, that we are represented by those who represent our concerns and our hopes and our fears,” longtime Casperite Gail Upton, 70, said. “I’m most concerned about taxes that, to me, are not legitimate. I’m not an expert on socialism, but I think taxes are connected to that type of government thinking.” While she’s in favor of local tax initiatives in Natrona County, 28-year-old Taylor Maes said she is most concerned about the election outcome at the national level. “I just feel that it’s a pivotal election, and if you’re old enough to vote, get out and vote,” Maes said. “It’s tricky because we live in Wyoming,” she added. “But every vote does matter. I feel like if you don’t go out and vote, you can’t complain about the things that happen.” Updated by Dustin Bleizeffer 1:19 p.m. | Voters continue to brave the cold to line up in Laramie LARAMIE—An hour-long line filled the Spring Creek School polling place Tuesday before noon. Voters hustled from vehicles to the building, with hands in pockets and heads down against the wind and occasional flurries. Most were able to line up in the warmth of the school hallways.  Some, however, stopped to discuss what brought them out to vote, including their values aligning with Former President Donald Trump, voting against Trump, voting for Kamala Harris, voting for reproductive rights, voting over border policies, voting to influence local elections or simply voting to vote. One person voiced concerns about a nuclear war.  The cold is pushing most to huddle inside, but hasn’t kept away voters from Spring Creek School in Laramie where wait times to vote have held steady at around an hour. (Mike Vanata/WyoFile) Carol Uhl was glad to participate in the election, she said, especially local races like the school board and city council. Asked how she felt about election integrity, she said, ““I believe that things will be fair.” “People are working so hard, and I think it’s unfair for people to criticize the poll workers. They’re doing their best,” she said, adding: “I’ll be glad when it’s over.” A few wildland firefighters also stopped by, saying they felt Trump made some “really uninformed” comments about their work, and that they believed the Biden administration had worked to better compensate and support them in recent years.  As the morning wound down, the line of cars and people showed no signs of slowing. Updated by Madelyn Beck 12:01 p.m. | Local initiatives, economy top-of-mind for Casper voters CASPER—A line of voters donned coats, caps and gloves to brave intermittent sleet and snow this morning at Natrona County’s largest polling center. Though many named the presidential race as their primary motivation for getting out to vote, others are paying close attention to local races and initiatives. Casper resident Haley Lensert has two children who participate in the Casper Oilers hockey program, and the players are in desperate need of a second sheet of ice in town, she said. Casper resident Haley Lensert voted Nov. 5, 2024. (Dustin Bleizeffer/WyoFile) “That’s been a real big issue in our family, and we want to see the sport grow,” Lensert told WyoFile, adding that she supports the whole slate of local tax initiatives, which include an extra gym, a chairlift replacement at the city-run Hogadon Basin Ski Area and an upgrade of the local animal shelter.  “I came to vote for the propositions proposed by the city to add an additional six-cent tax to provide additional services that our city desperately needs,” Lensert said. “Our city only continues to grow, and we need to support it.” Jeremy Norcross, 42, said he’s most concerned about the cost of living, and though he hasn’t paid close attention to local races, he believes presidential candidate Donald Trump can best deliver on improving the economy “across the board.” “I was really looking forward to voting for Donald Trump this year,” he said. Similarly, Garrett Thurman’s primary motivation for voting was to push back against any new tax or tax increase. The 28-year-old Casper resident said he was eager to vote for Trump because he wants to see “the economy get back on track.” “We need to lower the cost of living and lower taxes,” Thurman said. Updated by Dustin Bleizeffer 10:50 a.m. | In Fremont County, voter lines and presidential anxiety LANDER—A line of voters huddled in the near-freezing temperatures just before polls opened at 7 a.m. in Lander. A little over an hour later, polling station manager Yesenia Nations-Iversen estimated that 300 people had already been in to cast their ballots — and a steady crowd continued to stream in.  After casting their ballots, voters told WyoFile they were there because of women’s reproductive rights, to protect freedom and because it’s their duty as citizens. Voters were circumspect when talking about the candidates they supported — a sign perhaps that they are fearful of judgment or retribution. When asked what impelled her to vote, Carol King of Lander admitted that the first answer to pop into her head was “to save our country.” A woman leans over her ballot on Election Day 2024 in at the Bob Carey Memorial Fieldhouse, a polling station in Lander. (Katie Klingsporn/WyoFile) She, like many voters, is very concerned about the presidential election, and was feeling jittery.  “I am so full of anxiety that I’m about to just cry like a baby,” she said. “I really want things to calm down in our country, and that we can all just get along.”  Lander pastor Darin Buse brought along his service dog, Brie, for “moral support.” Even in Wyoming, he said, where the overwhelmingly Republican population can make election results foregone conclusions, he believes everyone should vote their conscience. Along with the presidential race, Buse echoed the concerns of others when he said he is interested in the results of a local school board race. Though nonpartisan, that race has been divided on political lines. Mostly, he said, he cares about board members’ judicious concern of students.  “Their decisions definitely shape how our future is being formed,” he said.  Updated by Katie Klingsporn 9:53 a.m. | Windy election day off to a strong start in Laramie LARAMIE—Amid a high wind warning and temperatures hovering near freezing, voters stood in a line snaking outside the gym and into the blustery weather at Laramie High School this morning. It was about an hour wait, and at least one woman turned around, realizing she needed more layers.  There were at least a handful of bundled-up new voters in line, excited to cast their first official ballot. The Moore family was there with daughter and first-time voter Campbell who said, “I’m just excited to get out there and do the right thing and do what I can do through my vote. “I think everybody should vote,” she added.  About an hour-long line snaked out the door at Laramie High School for the 2024 general election. (Madelyn Beck/WyoFile) Others had waited in line before, and wanted to make their voices heard in local elections — particularly the school board. That included Tolu Oduyomi and David Keto, both with kids in the district.  “I wish there were more choices for the school board,” Keto said. “I certainly understand the need for the budget cuts they’re having to make and it’s not easy, but more communication would make it more palatable, at least.” Further up the line, first-time vote Aurora Welker said she was excited to cast her ballot for Kamala Harris, saying she wanted to vote what feels right for her.  And still others talked about the property tax amendment, which Dennis Shannon felt was a good idea. Plenty of daylight left on Election Day, but the polls have opened with a bang. Updated by Madelyn Beck 8:40 a.m. | Voters pile into Carbon County polling station at dawn RAWLINS—Drifting snow and below-freezing temperatures greeted dozens of Carbon County residents who packed into the parking lot of the Jeffrey County Memorial Center at daybreak on Election Day as voting began at 7 a.m.  It’s likely many of those daybreak voters, arriving in this first hour of sunlight to cast their ballots, were then headed off to work.  Carbon County residents filled the parking lot of the Jeffrey County Memorial Center in Rawlins as voting began at 7 a.m. on election day, Nov. 5, 2024. (Mike Koshmrl/WyoFile) During the 2020 presidential election, three in four Carbon County voters favored Donald Trump over President Joe Biden. Four years later the voted out-president faces the current vice president, Kamala Harris.  That race is expected to be tight, with potentially no victor declared on Election Day. Vote counts in the southcentral county of roughly 14,000 people, however, should be completed this evening.  In Carbon County, and across Wyoming, polls close at 7 p.m. Updated by Mike Koshmrl 6:28 a.m. | Wyomingites lined up around the block to vote on election eve LARAMIE—Lines grew at polling locations around the state Monday, taking some voters more than an hour to cast ballots the day before the official election.  In Cheyenne, the line was “down the street and around the corner,” Laramie County Clerk Debra Lee told WyoFile. More than 42% of registered voters cast their ballots in person before Election Day, she said, and after adding mail-in ballots, early voting grew to 56%. The lines at the early voting locations were potentially 1.5-2 hours long at 2:30 p.m., Lee said, but people were being patient. Workers hadn’t seen lines that long since maybe 2016, she said. Early voter turnout was larger in 2020 but without the wait, however, because so many people cast their ballots through the mail, Lee added.  A line to early vote snaked around the Albany County Courthouse on Nov. 4, the day before the 2024 general election. (Madelyn Beck/WyoFile) In Laramie, voters donned heavy coats and sweaters to wait in a line that snaked around the Albany County Courthouse to cast their ballots early. Some had already been there for over an hour by 3 p.m. Between those in-person go-getters and absentee ballots, county elections coordinator Stacey Harvey said half of registered voters in Albany County had already made their voices heard by early Monday afternoon.  On the opposite side of the state, Sheridan County Election Supervisor James Temple said his office has been staying busy, too, with more than 4,000 people — or nearly 40% of the total registered voters there — having cast their ballot by 9 a.m. Monday. There were just over 1,000 people who voted early for the primaries, he said, adding “it was an insane difference as to what we’re actually seeing now.” Statewide, around 100,000 residents — nearly 40% of registered voters — had cast their ballot by Friday afternoon, the Wyoming Secretary of State’s Office reported. That easily outperforms early voting in this year’s primaries. Updated by Madelyn Beck 4:25 a.m. | Ready to vote? Check out WyoFile’s election guide. It’s Election Day, and if you’re still trying to do your homework, WyoFile can help. Our election guide features questions and answers from dozens of congressional and legislative candidates from around Wyoming, as well as information about the proposed property-tax constitutional amendment and judicial retention. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Not sure where to vote? The Wyoming Secretary of State’s poll locator can help.  Updated by Joshua Wolfson and Tennessee Watson Correction: The name of the Jeffrey Memorial Community Center was corrected in the 2:53 p.m. post from Rawlins. —Ed. The post Election 2024 live: In deep blue Wilson, voters talk about democracy, choice, freedom appeared first on WyoFile .