Currently, Wyoming statutes require candidates and political action committees to file a statement of receipts and expenditures within 10 days of the primary and general elections.

The reports must list all contributions received, naming the contributor, the contributor’s city and state of residence, and the amount. The report must also list the amount of each expenditure, to whom, and for what purpose.

Wyoming’s campaign finance disclosure laws compare favorably with those of other states in the region except for the post-election filing date - that is, the information is not available to the public until after the election is over, although knowing where a particular candidate obtained his/her financial support might influence a voter’s choice.

SF 51 proposed to change that situation by requiring a preliminary disclosure 10 days before an election. Ten days after the election, a final report would be filed, listing additional receipts and expenditures occurring after the initial filing.

Proponents of the bill said it would provide voters with potentially useful information prior to the election. Opponents said that it would create unnecessary paperwork.

SF 51 passed the Senate Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions Committee on a 3-2 vote, but died on General File in the Senate (was not brought up for debate).