It’s a sign of the times. Days before the election, yard signs are everywhere, urging voters to pick this one, or that one. But in Park County, and the rest of Wyoming, yard signs aren’t the only signs that the election is near. Many of the people heading into the courthouse are carrying their ballots in, for an early vote.

Park County Clerk Kelly Jensen says, “We’ve already surpassed the requests for absentee ballots. So the number coming back in is going to be, we believe, by far record numbers.” Jensen says she’s talked to election officials in other Wyoming counties.

She explained, “They are having the same kind of voter reaction. They are having excitement across the state by people registering. A lot more people coming in to vote early, or by mail.” Wyoming allows voters to register on election day, so Jensen has ordered enough ballots to take care of 100% turnout, and more.

“If we have 30% more people register, we can cover that.” There may be one other election day challenge. Republican Cynthia Lummis and Democrat Gary Trauner running for Congress, are very close in the polls. Jensen explains, “In the case where there are only two candidates if the number of votes is within 1%, then there is an automatic recount required.”

Jensen says there is a slight increase in the number of independent and Democratic registrations in the predominantly Republican County this year.