Running for office in Wyoming

This page covers what's specific to Wyoming. Start with the general guide for the steps every candidate follows regardless of state.

Filing in Wyoming

Candidates for legislative, statewide, and federal office file through the Secretary of State's online candidate filing system rather than mailing paper forms. County office and special purpose district candidates file with their county clerk's election office instead. Major-party candidates pay a filing fee set by office level. Independent candidates qualify by petition, gathering signatures from registered voters in the jurisdiction, and also pay the same fee as party candidates for that office.

The Secretary of State publishes a Campaign Guide each cycle covering filing mechanics, financial disclosure duties, and campaign finance reporting through the separate Wyoming Campaign Finance Information System (WYCFIS). Expect to register a campaign committee and file periodic finance disclosure reports once you file, not just at the deadline.

Wyoming's filing window is short, about two weeks in mid-to-late May for major-party candidates, months before the November general election. Confirm office-specific requirements well before the window opens.

Deadlines and numbers

• 2026 major-party candidate filing: May 14 through 5:00 p.m. Friday, May 29, 2026
• Minor and provisional party candidates: until August 17, 2026
• Independent candidates: until August 24, 2026
• Primary election: August 18, 2026. General election: November 3, 2026.
• Filing fees: $300 statewide (e.g. Governor), $100 state legislature, $750 federal independent candidates
• Independent statewide candidates needed 5,263 signatures in 2026. District or county office candidates generally need at least 2 percent of the votes cast for that office in the last general election

The dossier could not confirm the exact current filing fee for county-level offices distinct from statewide and legislative fees, and could not confirm whether petition-in-lieu-of-fee is available for major-party primary candidates. Check with your county clerk, or ask in /engage.

Where to go

• Statewide, legislative, and federal candidate filing: wycandidatefiling.gov
• General elections information and the current Campaign Guide: sos.wyo.gov/Elections/CandidateInformation.aspx
• Independent candidate petition forms: sos.wyo.gov/Elections/IndependentCandidates.aspx
• Campaign finance registration and disclosure: wycampaignfinance.gov
• Your county clerk's election office for county and special district candidacies