22-3-117. Absentee registration generally; use of federal postcard.

(a) Notwithstanding any other section or provision in this chapter, any citizen of the United States who is a resident of Wyoming may apply for registration by providing the information required by W.S. 22-3-103(a) and acceptable identification to and completing and subscribing, the form of voter registration oath prescribed by W.S. 22-3-103(b) before any person authorized by law to administer oaths. Each county clerk shall furnish the voter registration oath forms. The applicant shall mail or return the completed voter registration oath form to the county clerk in the county in which the applicant resides. In order to vote in the next election, the application must be received in the county clerk's office before the close of registration for that election, or:

(i) Be received by mail and processed by the county clerk during the closed period described in W.S. 22-3-102(a) if it is accompanied by an absentee ballot request for elections where a voter may register at the polls;

(ii) Be made at the county clerk's office during the closed period described in W.S. 22-3-102(a) if the voter simultaneously votes at the county clerk's office; or

(iii) Be made and processed at the absentee polling place during the closed period described in W.S. 22-3-102(a) if the voter simultaneously votes at the absentee polling place established for that purpose pursuant to W.S. 22-9-125.

(b) Under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, 42 U.S.C. 1973ff (2002) the following persons shall be allowed to simultaneously register and make application for an absentee ballot through the use of the Federal Postcard Application (FPCA), provided those persons are residents of this state or in the case of overseas citizens, they were last domiciled in Wyoming immediately prior to their departure from the United States and are not registered to vote in any other jurisdiction:

(i) Members of the uniformed services and their spouses and dependents residing with them;

(ii) Overseas citizens and their spouses and dependents residing with them;

(iii) Citizens temporarily residing outside of the United States, and their spouses and dependents residing with them; and

(iv) Any other person to whom federal law requires this privilege be extended.

(c) Registration through the Federal Postcard Application constitutes temporary registration for the purpose of voting in one (1) election cycle, including a primary, general or special federal election, and the registration of such a registrant shall be maintained as provided in W.S. 22-3-102(d). The Federal Postcard Application shall be accepted if completed and signed by the applicant under penalty of perjury.

(d) If any person specified in subsection (b) of this section desires permanent registration, that person shall provide the information required by W.S. 22-3-103(a) and subscribe to the voter registration oath prescribed by W.S. 22-3-103(b). The oath shall be self-administered under penalty of perjury and notwithstanding W.S. 22-3-104 does not require the signature of an oath-taking official.