Albany County Sample Ballot & Voter Guide 2026
30 candidates are on the November 3, 2026 ballot across 17 Albany County races, led by the Albany County Commissioner (two at-large seats) contest.
County offices
Commissioner (two at-large seats)Terri Jones (R) · Chris Cleven (R) · Pete Gosar (D) · Merav Ben-David (D)
Terri Jones Republican Incumbent
Terri Jones is the incumbent Albany County Commission chairperson, per the county's official website. She is a co-owner of Brad Jones Masonry, per the Laramie Boomerang. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026; the official roster and election filing is the only verifiable source for Terri Jones.
Chris Cleven Republican
- Support landowners' use of their property within existing land-use permits and regulations
- Grassroots, community-driven governance
Per the Laramie Reporter.
About Chris Cleven
Chris Cleven is a Laramie Police Department officer with 16 years of experience as a peace officer, per the Laramie Reporter. He helped organize the formation of a county road district and is seeking an Albany County Commission seat, per the Laramie Reporter. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for Chris Cleven.
Pete Gosar Democratic Incumbent
Pete Gosar is the incumbent Albany County commissioner seeking a third term, per the Laramie Reporter. As a commission member, and at times its chair, he played an active role in the Pilot Hill Project, which purchased 5,500 acres of open land east of Laramie for wildlife habitat and non-motorized recreation, per the Laramie Reporter. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for Pete Gosar.
Merav Ben-David Democratic
- Ensure Laramie's water serves Laramie first, addressing threats from data centers and drought
- Defend Casper Aquifer protections she helped develop
- Bring an evidence-based, scientific approach to county decisions
Per the campaign site.
About Merav Ben-David
Merav Ben-David is a retired University of Wyoming professor who led the university's Wildlife Ecology and Management program for 25 years and chaired its Department of Zoology and Physiology, per her campaign site. She has served on the Albany County Planning and Zoning Commission and is a longtime Laramie resident, per her campaign site.
August 18 primary result: Republicans Terri Jones (3,678 votes, 29.47 percent) and Chris Cleven (3,242, 25.97 percent) won the two GOP nominations, and Democrats Pete Gosar (1,198, 35.61 percent) and Merav Ben-David (788, 23.42 percent) won the two Democratic nominations over Klaus Halbsgut (521, 15.49 percent) and Erik Michael Boss (372, 11.06 percent), per the Albany County Clerk's official primary results. The four meet on the November 3 ballot for two at-large seats.
Full race pageCoronerRyan Hershey (R) · Sally King (D)
Ryan Hershey Republican
Ryan Hershey appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Albany County Coroner, per the county elections office's certified candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for Ryan Hershey.
Sally King Democratic Incumbent
Sally King is the incumbent Albany County Coroner, per the county's official staff directory. At a 2022 candidate forum she said the coroner position should not be partisan, explaining that the job comes down to caring for people and keeping track of their possessions, per the Laramie Boomerang. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026; the official roster and election filing is the only verifiable source for Sally King.
Ryan Hershey was unopposed for the Republican nomination (4,199 votes, 67.28 percent) and Sally King was unopposed for the Democratic nomination (1,490 votes, 88.58 percent) in the August 18 primary, per the Albany County Clerk's official primary results, so both meet on the November 3 ballot.
Full race pageAttorneyJoel H. Defebaugh (R) · Edward Kurt Britzius (D)
Joel H. Defebaugh Republican
Defebaugh serves as a Deputy County Prosecuting Attorney in Albany County, per the campaign site. Defebaugh earned a political science degree and law degree at the University of Wyoming and serves as a Judge Advocate officer with the Wyoming Army National Guard's 115th Field Artillery Brigade. Defebaugh has been involved with the American Legion Wyoming Boys' State program and previously served as Student Body President at the University of Wyoming.
Edward Kurt Britzius Democratic Incumbent
Kurt Britzius is the incumbent Albany County and Prosecuting Attorney, appointed in May 2021 and elected to the office in 2023, per the Laramie Reporter. He spent 10 years as a criminal prosecutor in the Albany County Attorney's Office before moving to private practice in 2019, and currently also serves as magistrate for the Second Judicial District Court and Laramie Municipal Court, per the county's official website. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026; the official roster and election filing is the only verifiable source for Edward Kurt Britzius.
Joel H. Defebaugh won the Republican nomination with 3,164 votes (50.70 percent) over Roxie Hensley (1,968 votes, 31.53 percent), and Edward Kurt Britzius was unopposed for the Democratic nomination (1,453 votes, 86.39 percent), in the August 18 primary, per the Albany County Clerk's official primary results, so both meet on the November 3 ballot.
Full race pageSheriffDaron L. Wyatt (R) · Aaron Appelhans (D)
Daron L. Wyatt Republican
- Hold himself and staff to high standards of leadership, integrity and character
- Serve residents with honor and approachability, keeping public safety above partisan politics
- Preserve local Wyoming character in county law enforcement
Per the campaign site.
About Daron L. Wyatt
Daron Wyatt is a law enforcement professional with 37 years of frontline experience across six police agencies, per his campaign site. He is a small business owner who serves on the Board of Directors for the Laramie Police Department Foundation, per his campaign site.
Aaron Appelhans Democratic Incumbent
- Reduce traffic fatalities and improve mental health crisis response through de-escalation training
- Recruit and retain a more diverse and inclusive workforce
- Stay open, up front and available to the community
Per the campaign site.
About Aaron Appelhans
Aaron Appelhans is the incumbent Albany County Sheriff, who came to Laramie in 1999 as a University of Wyoming student and earned a civil engineering degree in 2003, per his campaign site. He was appointed sheriff in 2020 and became the first Black sheriff in Wyoming, and the state's first elected Black sheriff in 2022, per Cowboy State Daily.
Daron L. Wyatt was unopposed for the Republican nomination (4,137 votes, 66.29 percent) and Aaron Appelhans was unopposed for the Democratic nomination (1,559 votes, 92.69 percent) in the August 18 primary, per the Albany County Clerk's official primary results, so both meet on the November 3 ballot.
Full race pageClerkR. Mark Armstrong (R) · Kayla White (D)
R. Mark Armstrong Republican
R. Mark Armstrong is a geologist and engineer born in Laramie who has served with the Centennial Valley Fire Department and volunteered with the Albany County Library, per the Laramie Reporter. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for R. Mark Armstrong.
Kayla White Democratic Incumbent
Kayla White is the incumbent Albany County Clerk, per the county's 2026 general election proclamation. She moved to Laramie in 2000 to attend the University of Wyoming and began working in the Clerk's office in 2007, later being appointed chief deputy in 2009, per her campaign Facebook page. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026; the official roster and election filing is the only verifiable source for Kayla White.
R. Mark Armstrong was unopposed for the Republican nomination (3,681 votes, 58.98 percent) and Kayla White was unopposed for the Democratic nomination (1,569 votes, 93.28 percent) in the August 18 primary, per the Albany County Clerk's official primary results, so both meet on the November 3 ballot.
Full race pageTreasurerMerissa Martinez (R) · Tracy Fletcher (D)
Merissa Martinez Republican
- Establish a Tax Relief Resource Center at the courthouse to help veterans, seniors and working families identify exemptions
- Modernize digital payment systems, self-serve kiosks and deadline reminders
- Publish county financial health and investments online in plain language
Per the campaign site.
About Merissa Martinez
Merissa Martinez is a finance and accounting professional with more than 12 years of experience who serves as Administrative Assistant for the South of Laramie Water & Sewer District, per her campaign site. She earned a bachelor's degree in business accounting from Grand Canyon University in 2025 and is a certified public notary, per her campaign site.
Tracy Fletcher Democratic Incumbent
Tracy Fletcher is the incumbent Albany County Treasurer, per the county's official staff directory. She has worked in the Treasurer's office for 19 years, including her current term as Treasurer, per her LinkedIn profile. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026; the official roster and election filing is the only verifiable source for Tracy Fletcher.
Merissa Martinez was unopposed for the Republican nomination (3,892 votes, 62.36 percent) and Tracy Fletcher was unopposed for the Democratic nomination (1,523 votes, 90.55 percent) in the August 18 primary, per the Albany County Clerk's official primary results, so both meet on the November 3 ballot.
Full race pageClerk of District CourtDwain Streeter (R) · Kayla Marroquin (D)
Dwain Streeter Republican
Dwain Streeter is a candidate for Albany County Clerk of District Court who has said the office handles court records, payments, child support and passports, and helps people who cannot afford a lawyer understand the court process, per the Laramie Boomerang. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for Dwain Streeter.
Kayla Marroquin Democratic
- Maintain strong office leadership
- Keep a positive working relationship with all other offices so records are processed quickly and efficiently
Per the campaign site.
About Kayla Marroquin
Marroquin is a Wyoming native who has lived in Laramie for more than 25 years, per the campaign site. Marroquin has worked as a process server since 2007 and has spent nearly two decades in the legal field, including work at law firms, LexisNexis, and as a judicial assistant, per the campaign site.
Dwain Streeter was unopposed for the Republican nomination (4,190 votes, 67.14 percent) and Kayla Marroquin was unopposed for the Democratic nomination (1,473 votes, 87.57 percent) in the August 18 primary, per the Albany County Clerk's official primary results. Neither is the sitting officeholder, so both are newcomers meeting on the November 3 ballot.
Full race pageAssessorChelsie Mathews (R)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Chelsie Mathews Republican Incumbent
Chelsie Mathews was appointed Albany County Assessor in November 2021 after more than 13 years in the Assessor's Office, per her prior campaign site. She is a University of Wyoming graduate and has been a certified property appraiser since 2010, per the same source. No current campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026.
Chelsie Mathews was unopposed for the Republican nomination (4,480 votes, 71.78 percent) in the August 18 primary, and no Democrat or independent filed, per the Albany County Clerk's official primary results, so she is unopposed on the November 3 ballot.
Full race pageJudges
Retention: Justice Bridget Hill, Wyoming Supreme CourtNonpartisan race · Bridget Hill
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Bridget Hill Nonpartisan
Bridget Hill was appointed to the Wyoming Supreme Court in 2025, per the Wyoming Judicial Branch. She previously served as Wyoming Attorney General from 2019 to 2025 and earlier as director of the Office of State Lands and Investments and as an assistant attorney general. She earned her law degree with honor from the University of Wyoming College of Law, per the Wyoming Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026.
Retention question on the November 3 ballot: voters mark FOR or AGAINST retaining Bridget Hill as a judge of the Wyoming Supreme Court; a majority of votes cast on the question keeps the judge in office. Wyoming judges are appointed by the governor from Judicial Nominating Commission lists and then stand for retention, per the Wyoming Secretary of State's 2026 General Election Candidate list. The question appears on every ballot in Wyoming.
Full race pageRetention: Justice Robert C. Jarosh, Wyoming Supreme CourtNonpartisan race · Robert C. Jarosh
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Robert C. Jarosh Nonpartisan
Robert C. Jarosh joined the Wyoming Supreme Court in March 2024, per the Wyoming Judicial Branch. He was previously in private practice in Cheyenne with the firm Hirst Applegate, LLP. He holds a law degree with honor from the University of Wyoming College of Law, per the Wyoming Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026.
Retention question on the November 3 ballot: voters mark FOR or AGAINST retaining Robert C. Jarosh as a judge of the Wyoming Supreme Court; a majority of votes cast on the question keeps the judge in office. Wyoming judges are appointed by the governor from Judicial Nominating Commission lists and then stand for retention, per the Wyoming Secretary of State's 2026 General Election Candidate list. The question appears on every ballot in Wyoming.
Full race pageRetention: Judge Ben Burningham, Wyoming Chancery CourtNonpartisan race · Ben Burningham
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Ben Burningham Nonpartisan
Ben Burningham has served as judge of the Wyoming Chancery Court since his appointment in January 2025, per the Wyoming Judicial Branch. The Chancery Court handles commercial, business and trust litigation statewide. His current term expires in January 2027. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026.
Retention question on the November 3 ballot: voters mark FOR or AGAINST retaining Ben Burningham as a judge of the Wyoming Chancery Court; a majority of votes cast on the question keeps the judge in office. Wyoming judges are appointed by the governor from Judicial Nominating Commission lists and then stand for retention, per the Wyoming Secretary of State's 2026 General Election Candidate list. The question appears on every ballot in Wyoming.
Full race pageRetention: Judge Robert J. Sanford, Circuit Court, Second Judicial DistrictNonpartisan race · Robert J. Sanford
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Robert J. Sanford Nonpartisan
Robert J. Sanford has served as a circuit court judge of the Second Judicial District in Albany County since his appointment in July 2020, per the Wyoming Judicial Branch. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026.
Retention question on the November 3 ballot: voters mark FOR or AGAINST retaining Robert J. Sanford as a judge of the Circuit Court of the Second Judicial District; a majority of votes cast on the question keeps the judge in office. Wyoming judges are appointed by the governor from Judicial Nominating Commission lists and then stand for retention, per the Wyoming Secretary of State's 2026 General Election Candidate list. The question appears on ballots in Albany County, Carbon County.
Full race pageBy address
These seats are elected by district; only the district covering your address is on your ballot.
Albany County is split across 4 Wyoming House districts.
Find your districts by addressWyoming House: 4 districtsDistricts 13, 14, 45, 46
Wyoming House District 13Shane Swett (R) · Ken Chestek (D)
Shane Swett Republican
- Making property tax relief permanent
- Attainable housing through reduced permitting delays
- Locally controlled schools with funding accountability
Per the campaign site.
About Shane Swett
Swett is a lifelong Laramie resident who runs a small business and describes himself as coming from blue-collar, hands-on work, per the campaign site. He frames his candidacy around Albany County's economy, which he says spans agriculture, energy, small business and the University of Wyoming, per the campaign site.
Ken Chestek Democratic Incumbent
- Says his campaign is guided by policy positions rather than partisan politics
Per the campaign site.
About Ken Chestek
Ken Chestek is an emeritus professor of law at the University of Wyoming College of Law, where he taught legal writing, statutory interpretation and legal analysis, per KOWB radio. He is a former trial lawyer with more than 20 years of experience, per the same report.
Shane Swett (Republican), Ken Chestek (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot; Ken Chestek is the sitting member, per the Legislature's 2026 roster. Shane Swett was unopposed in the August 18 Republican primary (609 votes). Ken Chestek was unopposed in the August 18 Democratic primary (317 votes). Wyoming has no runoffs and unopposed nominees still print. The field is the Secretary of State's 2026 General Election Candidate list (read September 7, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Full race pageWyoming House District 14Emily Study (R) · Trey Sherwood (D)
Emily Study Republican
- Stronger schools
- Affordable family life
- Practical leadership
Per the campaign site.
About Emily Study
Emily Study is a Republican House District 14 candidate whose campaign focuses on stronger schools, affordable family life and practical leadership, per her campaign site.
Trey Sherwood Democratic Incumbent
- Attainable housing and good paying jobs
- Affordable health care and access to public lands
- Mental health services and a strong public education system
Per the campaign site.
About Trey Sherwood
Trey Sherwood is an economic developer who holds a degree in public history and is a 2009 graduate of Leadership Wyoming, per her campaign site. She has served in the Wyoming House since 2021, sits on the Joint Appropriations Committee, and has founded or co-founded the Albany County Housing Coalition, the Laramie Mural Project and the Laramie Public Art Coalition.
Emily Study (Republican), Trey Sherwood (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot; Trey Sherwood is the sitting member, per the Legislature's 2026 roster. Emily Study was unopposed in the August 18 Republican primary (1,277 votes). Trey Sherwood was unopposed in the August 18 Democratic primary (443 votes). Wyoming has no runoffs and unopposed nominees still print. The field is the Secretary of State's 2026 General Election Candidate list (read September 7, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Full race pageWyoming House District 45Ross Davenport (R) · Karlee Provenza (D)
Ross Davenport Republican
Ross Davenport is the Republican candidate for Wyoming House District 45 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Wyoming Secretary of State's 2026 General Election Candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
Karlee Provenza Democratic Incumbent
- Public lands protection and conservation
- Healthcare access and affordability
- Housing solutions and education quality
Per the campaign site.
About Karlee Provenza
Provenza holds a Ph.D. from the University of Wyoming and has worked as a researcher on the psychology of the legal system, and co-founded Albany County for Proper Policing in 2018, per the campaign site. She is a sitting member of the Wyoming House of Representatives seeking reelection, per the campaign site.
Ross Davenport (Republican), Karlee Provenza (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot; Karlee Provenza is the sitting member, per the Legislature's 2026 roster. Ross Davenport was unopposed in the August 18 Republican primary (596 votes). Karlee Provenza was unopposed in the August 18 Democratic primary (490 votes). Wyoming has no runoffs and unopposed nominees still print. The field is the Secretary of State's 2026 General Election Candidate list (read September 7, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Full race pageWyoming House District 46Cam Wright (R) · Gary Wilken (D)
Cam Wright Republican
- Protecting Wyoming's public lands
- Supporting strong schools and workforce training
- Strengthening core industries including oil, gas and mining
Per the campaign site.
About Cam Wright
Cam Wright is a 30-year U.S. Air Force veteran who retired as a Lieutenant Colonel, and a retired University of Wyoming engineering professor and former dean, per his campaign site. He is the Republican candidate for Wyoming House District 46.
Gary Wilken Democratic
- Supporting the drug, mental health and homeless court programs he worked with in law enforcement
- Addressing public safety, zoning and hazardous waste concerns through his code enforcement background
Per the campaign site.
About Gary Wilken
Wilken is a retired United Methodist pastor and former Albany County Sheriff's Office detention deputy, corporal and patrol officer who also worked as an Albany County code enforcement officer, per the campaign site. He holds a history degree from Colorado State University and a Master of Divinity from Pacific School of Religion, and served as a liaison between the sheriff's office and the county's drug, mental health and homeless courts, per the campaign site.
Cam Wright (Republican), Gary Wilken (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot. The seat is open: Rep. Ocean Andrew (R), the sitting member per the Legislature's 2026 roster, is not on the November ballot. Cam Wright won the August 18 Republican primary with 1,256 votes (60.9 percent) over Ocean Andrew (the sitting member) (808), per the Secretary of State's official summary. Gary Wilken was unopposed in the August 18 Democratic primary (293 votes). Wyoming has no runoffs and unopposed nominees still print. The field is the Secretary of State's 2026 General Election Candidate list (read September 7, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Full race pageWyoming Senate District 9Chris Rothfuss (D)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Chris Rothfuss Democratic Incumbent
- Expanding Medicaid coverage and rural healthcare infrastructure
- Opposing the sale or privatization of public lands
- Rejecting PAC donations
Per the WyoFile questionnaire.
About Chris Rothfuss
Chris Rothfuss is the incumbent Democratic senator for Wyoming Senate District 9, per the Wyoming Legislature's roster, having represented the district since 2011 and served 12 years as Senate Minority Leader. He is a faculty member in the University of Wyoming Honors College, per WyoFile's 2026 Election Guide. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.
Chris Rothfuss (Democratic) is the only candidate on the November 3 ballot; Chris Rothfuss is the sitting member, per the Legislature's 2026 roster. Chris Rothfuss was unopposed in the August 18 Democratic primary (801 votes). Wyoming has no runoffs and unopposed nominees still print. The field is the Secretary of State's 2026 General Election Candidate list (read September 7, 2026). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Full race pageBallot questions
2 local ballot questions from official county, city and school district lists. Countywide questions appear on every ballot in Albany County; city, school district and special-district questions only inside the jurisdiction named. Statewide measures are listed separately.
Albany County General Purpose One Percent (1%) Sales and Use Tax RenewalCountywide · Shall the Board of County Commissioners of Albany County be authorized to continue to impose a general purpose excise tax of 1 percent upon retail sales of tangible personal property, admissions and services made within the county, for general revenue purposes, for the period of January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2030, per the Albany County Clerk's 2026 general election proclamation.
Shall the Board of County Commissioners of Albany County be authorized to continue to impose a general purpose excise tax of 1 percent upon retail sales of tangible personal property, admissions and services made within the county, for general revenue purposes, for the period of January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2030, per the Albany County Clerk's 2026 general election proclamation.
Full detailsAlbany County Two Percent (2%) Lodging Tax RenewalCountywide · Shall the Board of Commissioners of Albany County be authorized to continue to impose a two percent excise tax upon the sales price paid for lodging services within Albany County, primarily for local travel and tourism promotion, for the period of January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2030, per the Albany County Clerk's 2026 general election proclamation.
Shall the Board of Commissioners of Albany County be authorized to continue to impose a two percent excise tax upon the sales price paid for lodging services within Albany County, primarily for local travel and tourism promotion, for the period of January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2030, per the Albany County Clerk's 2026 general election proclamation.
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Cross-check every race and candidate with the official election office. Official sources are the final word.
Wyoming's August 18 primary set each party's nominee by plurality (no runoffs); Constitution and Libertarian nominees and petition independents joined the November 3 ballot by the late-August filing deadline, and unopposed nominees still print, per the Secretary of State's 2026 General Election Candidate list.
Who is on the ballot in Albany County, Wyoming on November 3, 2026?
Albany County sample ballot 2026: see where the commissioner, county coroner and county attorney candidates stand on health care, housing and schools. Every candidate profile on this page names the official filing or campaign source it came from.
When is the 2026 general election in Wyoming?
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Wyoming are listed on the Wyoming election hub. Wyoming election hub →
What ballot questions are on the Albany County ballot?
2 ballot questions: Albany County General Purpose One Percent (1%) Sales and Use Tax Renewal; Albany County Two Percent (2%) Lodging Tax Renewal. Each question page explains what a yes vote and a no vote would do.
How do I see my exact Albany County ballot?
Enter your ZIP code in the lookup for the statewide and congressional races on every ballot in the county, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location. Look up your ballot →
Wyoming statewide racesEvery Wyoming race on this county's ballot.All Wyoming ballot measures1 statewide ballot measureWyoming judges2 tracked judges on the retention ballotCandidate roster last updated Sep 27, 2026 from official election sources.