Wyoming now has four major political parties. That’s according to the Secretary of State’s office. The Libertarian and Constitution parties received more than ten percent of the vote in the Secretary of State race during the 2014 midterms, which means they are now considered major parties by the Wyoming Government.
State Election Director Peggy Nighswonger says that means both parties will now elect candidates in a primary election rather than choosing one in a party convention. She says that puts the Libertarian and Constitution parties on the same footing as the Democrats or Republicans.
“Instead of affiliating with the Democratic or Republican party they certainly have a choice now of affiliating with these two other major parties," says Nighswonger. "And so it’ll give people more of a choice I believe at the primary election to be able to cast their vote.”
Both parties will have to garner ten percent of the vote again in the 2016 U.S. House election to retain their status.
