October 27, 2023 |
Photo – Carbon County Republican Committee logo – Courtesy CC Republicans
The race is on to fill the vacancy on the Board of Carbon County Commissioners.
Byron Barkhurst resigned mid-term earlier this month. His letter of resignation was read at the commissioners’ October 17th meeting when the board officially declared a vacancy. As a result, the Carbon County Republican Central Committee has 20 days to choose a replacement.
Carbon County Republican Party Chairman Paul Metevier said because Barkhurst is a registered Republican, his organization is responsible for choosing the commissioner’s successor. Metevier said the official declaration of a vacancy sets into motion a series of mandatory events to find a suitable nominee.
Metevier said 20 days after receiving written notice of Barkhurst’s resignation, he must convene a meeting of the Carbon County Republican Central Committee.
Metevier said the Carbon County Board of Commissioners vacancy has generated a lot of attention. The Republican party chairman said many interested parties have already sent him their applications for the position.
Metevier said upon receiving word of Commissioner Barkhurst’s resignation, he convened a meeting of the Wyoming Republican Party Executive Committee to generate an application for the open seat. The Republican party chairman said the committee used existing Wyoming election law to create a nominee survey.
Article Six of the Wyoming Constitution, titled Suffrage and Elections, states that a person must be a citizen of the United States, at least 21 years old, and a resident of Wyoming for at least one year preceding the election to be eligible for any state office.
Anyone who meets the eligibility requirements set out by Title 6 of the Wyoming Constitution can nominate themselves for the vacant county commissioner seat. Metevier said to visit the Carbon County Wyoming Republican Party website or email him to find out how to apply.
Metevier said all nominations must be received by this Sunday. The Republican party chairman said the committee needs time to evaluate the nominees and create ballots before Barkhurst’s replacement is selected next Thursday in Elk Mountain.
Metevier said it isn’t easy to be a county commissioner. The Republican party chairman said people should be aware of the responsibilities of sitting on the board before submitting their nominations.
All nominations must be received by noon, this Sunday, October 29th. The Carbon County Republican Party will meet at 6:00 pm, next Thursday, November 2nd, in Elk Mountain to decide who will take Commissioner Barkhurst’s seat. The meeting is open to the public.
For more information, or to apply for the vacant board position, visit the Carbon County Wyoming Republican Party website at www.ccrpwy.com and click on Special Meeting Information or send an email to CarbonCountyRepublicanParty@gmail.com.
