A Wyoming nonprofit that advocates for fair elections and transparent government requested that a federal judge immediately halt enforcement of the state’s new proof of U.S. citizenship requirements to register to vote.

The Equality State Policy Center filed its motion for a preliminary injunction May 23 in federal district court — two weeks after the initial complaint against Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray and all 23 county clerks responsible for carrying out elections. The complaint alleges that House Bill 156, passed this winter by the Wyoming Legislature, is unconstitutional and “burdensome” for qualified voters.

“When HB 156 becomes effective on July 1, 2025, it will impose new, burdensome and entirely unnecessary requirements that will make it harder for eligible citizens to vote — including, in particular, women,” the original complaint states. “Specifically, it will bar qualified Wyomingites from being able to register to vote unless they can first produce a form of DPOC (documentary proof of citizenship) that the new law deems acceptable.

“Women — as well as Hispanic, young and low-income voters — are less likely to have acceptable documentation and, in many cases, face greater hurdles to obtaining it.”

HB 156 requires Wyomingites to provide proof of residency and citizenship to register to vote. Secretary of State Gray was given the authority to select the documents or other proof needed to establish residency in rules that he is developing right now. A list of means to prove citizenship is already included in the law. HB 156 also doesn’t allow people to cast ballots unless they have been Wyoming residents for at least 30 days before the election in question.

“The far-left’s lawsuit is a meritless attempt to undermine the common-sense election integrity measures Wyomingites want,” Gray said when the lawsuit was filed. “Proof of citizenship and proof of residency are common- sense measures pivotal to election integrity, which is why House Bill 156 was the number one priority of our conservative election integrity agenda during the 2025 legislative session.”

The motion for a preliminary injunction gives four reasons that Wyoming residents shouldn’t have to further prove citizenship to register while the lawsuit is ongoing: ESPC is “substantially likely to succeed on the merits” of the case; the nonprofit, its more than 30 coalition members and constituents will “suffer irreparable harm” due to the enforcement; the harm outweighs the “injury” to the secretary of state and clerk; and it’s in the public’s interest. The nonprofit also requested a hearing on the motion.

The court had taken no action as of Friday. The state, which will defend the law, has not filed any response to the lawsuit yet.