Gov. Mark Gordon will consider whether to begin the process for removing Weston County Clerk Becky Hadlock from office after receiving a complaint from eight local qualified electors who allege “acts of misconduct and malfeasance,” according to a Friday press release from the governor’s office.
The release did not detail the allegations or name the complainants, but this is not the first time Weston County’s elections practices have been scrutinized. Following November’s general election, an initial miscount caused by an error of Hadlock’s drew fierce criticism from Weston County voters.
“Given the very serious nature of the potential consequences involved, removal of an official duly elected by the voters of Weston County, preserving the objectivity and integrity of this process is crucial,” Gordon’s press release said.
State law lays out a process for the governor to “commence action” in removing a county officer who is “guilty of misconduct or malfeasance in office” by filing a petition in district court. In other words, if Gordon finds in his review of the complaint against Hadlock that she appears to be guilty, the governor can request the clerk be tried in district court for misconduct or malfeasance in office.
“Consequently, the Governor will have no comment on this investigation while it is ongoing, focusing instead on reviewing and determining relevant facts,” the press release said.
In November, Secretary of State Chuck Gray said his office was planning a “more full analysis evaluating [the clerk’s] conduct” to present to the Attorney General’s office. Gray did not have an update on the matter at a press conference last week, but told WyoFile Friday that his office will be releasing the results of its investigation in early 2025.
How we got here
For the general election, Hadlock printed three versions of the ballot due to errors on the first two, Gray told the Wyoming State Canvassing Board in November.
It’s not unusual for clerks to reprint ballots, but it became a problem when some voters were given the erroneous first and second versions. As a result, tabulators miscounted votes in a county commission race as well as the competition for House District 1, where House Speaker-elect Rep. Chip Neiman (R-Hulett) was running unopposed for reelection.
The initial, unofficial results for Weston County showed Neiman received 166 votes while 1,289 left that part of the ballot blank, also known as an undervote. That count caught Secretary of State Chuck Gray’s attention on election night, he said, and when Hadlock didn’t answer his calls, he sent the sheriff’s office to her home.
Hadlock initially denied there was an issue, Gray said, but ultimately agreed to the secretary of state’s request that her office complete a hand tabulation of the ballots, which confirmed her mistake.
The recount showed that Neiman received 1,269 votes, and the results were certified by the county canvassing board.
The state canvassing board also certified Weston County’s results, but at the objection of local voters who asked at the meeting that they delay doing so. Newcastle Mayor Pam Gualtieri was among the objectors.
“As the mayor, it’s my job to take care of [local citizens], and we would like to see Weston County hand-counted by another county, not ours,” Gualtieri told the board.
Gualtieri reiterated those concerns to WyoFile Friday. Though she was not one of the eight residents who filed the verified complaint, she wants to see some accountability.
“A lot of residents just don’t feel like it was taken seriously [by the clerk,] and it’s affecting their thoughts on the next election,” Gualtieri said.
Only two races were recounted in Weston County, but Gualtieri said that’s needed in every race.
“Even the people who ran in the election are concerned if their numbers are correct, if they’re supposed to have those positions or not,” she said.
Whatever the outcome of the complaint, Gualtieri said Weston County has a long road ahead of itself.
“It’s easier to lose trust than it is to gain the trust,” Gualtieri said.
Hadlock did not respond to WyoFile’s request for comment.
This is a breaking news story and may be updated.
I refused to vote in the primary election in Newcastle (Weston County) because I knew the shenanigans going on with the election. I did vote in the general election though. I voted at the poll both times using my Wyoming DL as my ID in severe pain from a disabling chronic rare disease.
I still wondered when I was done if my vote would matter when I left the poll or be diluted by fraudulent election practices in my county. As it is now with the reports coming from the results, I can’t tell you if I can say I participated in a 100% fair election or not but until election reform is undertaken in this country and state, I never will.
And— no elected official is above the law. You break the law, you answer to the Justice Department not your constituents.
Like (former) Newcastle Mayor Pam Gaultieri I am also not a party of the “Local 8”; and while I don’t believe that misconduct or malfeasance in office is to blame for Mr. Neiman’s short sheeting in the 2024 General Election I do share her concern that the level of incompetence and lack of accountability shown by Clerk Hadlock’s actions and reactions regarding the acknowledgment of her errors is unacceptable. We have a long and celebrated tradition of electing uncontested and unqualified candidates to office here in Weston County. Ms. Hadlock and Mr. Neiman being ready examples. We also sometimes (albeit rarely) remove elected officials from their post by voting collectively for a change. That can be a difficult pill to swallow. Ms. Gualtieri only received 574 of the 1329 votes cast for the Newcastle mayoral contest. She lost… and this needs to also be accounted for. Weston County does have a long road ahead in 2025, and I look forward to tagging along for the ride with WYOFILE. Thanks as always for the great reporting.
When a public official doesn’t do their Job. Fire them and don’t pay for work that was not done correctly.
She’s an elected official. You can’t just fire her…..