Wyoming State Bar limits out-of-state voting for Judicial Nominating Commission and select delegate posts

President P. Craig Silva presided over a motion Jan. 23 in Laramie to restrict voting for certain Bar offices to members who reside in Wyoming. Treasurer Kelly M. Neville moved to amend the Wyoming State Bar Bylaws so that only in-state members are eligible to vote for Judicial Nominating Commission members, the Bar's ABA Delegate and the Bar's Young Lawyer ABA Delegate; Vice President Jennifer L. Kirk seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

The change responds to a member concern that out-of-state voters influence nominations to the JNC. President-Elect Alison O. Gee told the Board she had been asked to review governance on the issue after the member characterized the JNC as "a 'liberal body' putting forth the nominations going to the Governor." Executive Director Sharon Wilkinson reminded the Board that Bylaws had been broadened previously so all Active members could vote because all pay the same license fee; the proposed amendment narrows eligibility for the three offices named during the meeting.

The Board directed Bar Counsel Mark W. Gifford to draft the amendment and add it to the April meeting agenda for further discussion and formal action. The motion passed without opposition.

The Board's action does not immediately change any membership rolls; a formal bylaw amendment will be circulated and must be adopted according to the Bar's governance procedures before it becomes effective.