Wyoming’s Chief Election Official Resigns, Murray Focuses on Future

Despite the recent resignation of Wyoming's longtime election chief, Secretary of State Ed Murray says his office will be ready for the 2016 presidential election.

Peggy Nighswonger stepped down as the state's elections director on October 2, saying "differences in philosophy" with Murray prompted her to leave.

"It's true that Peggy has resigned and I respect her decision," said Murray. Murray declined to talk about those "differences" saying, "I'm going to focus on the future."

Murray says he hopes to find a new director to replace Nighswonger by the end of the year.

"I would anticipate being armed and ready to go by year-end with a new director," said Murray. "I want someone who is going to bring a new perspective and fresh ideas to the table and who is able to help us take Wyoming into the next election, of course, and into the next ten years of progressive interaction in the elections business."

Murray says he's also looking forward to implementing new initiatives in the elections division that will go beyond the status quo.

"First of all, I want to maintain those very core principals and values for elections, that is to continue to hold fair, transparent and well-run elections," said Murray. "And then beyond that I'm looking at numerous ways to initiate voter outreach programs or new special initiatives that aim specifically to increase voter participation and voter turnout."