Wyoming Legislative Candidate Survey Shows Strong Support for Libraries, Local Control

A recent survey conducted by the Wyoming Library Association (WLA) found broad support among participating legislative candidates for Wyoming's public and school libraries, professional librarians and staff, local decision-making, and continued access to library materials. Fifty legislative candidates completed the 2026 survey, providing insight into where they stand on library funding, collection development, and proposals related to book censorship.*

The majority of these candidates:

• Confirmed the importance of public libraries

• Expressed trust in professional librarians and library staff

• Supported local decision-making regarding library collections

• Favored continued library funding support through counties and school districts 

Among the survey's most notable findings, 100% of responding candidates agreed that public libraries are an essential part of every community, underscoring the widely shared recognition of libraries as vital public institutions.

The survey also found overwhelming support for the professionals who manage library collections:

• Of the 44 candidates that answered this prompt, 100% expressed trust in librarians to act in students' best interests when curating school library collections. The remaining 6 candidates skipped the question.

• Almost 89% (38 respondents) agreed that professional librarians, working under collection development policies approved by locally appointed library boards, should oversee public library collections.

• Nearly 87% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that public library collections should reflect the diverse communities they serve.

Candidates also expressed strong support for protecting individual choice while respecting the rights of other families. More than 93% agreed that a parent's decision to restrict access to a book should apply only to their own child rather than all children.

Local control remains a priority

Support for local governance was another clear theme throughout the survey. Nearly 93% of respondents said they support county library boards and local school boards continuing to handle library material challenges at the local level rather than through statewide mandates.

When asked whether a library should immediately remove a book simply because a community member filed a complaint, every respondent answered "No." WLA appreciated this level of response, as it shows support for local control and following policies and procedures when addressing a challenge to a library material.

Likewise, more than 90% said they support ensuring counties have the funding necessary to maintain public library services.

Candidates response to negative library legislation

One of the survey's key questions asked incumbents how they voted—or asked challenger candidates how they would have voted on a 2026 piece of legislation, HB10, "Sexually Explicit Materials in Libraries – Requirements." The topic was discussed throughout the 2026 legislative interim session and was a highly publicized draft bill during the 2026 regular session. HB10 passed the House and was not considered in the Senate. 

To see how each legislator in 2026 voted on HB10, you can view that information here. 

WLA was adamantly opposed to HB10 because of deep concerns about censorship and state interference with local control for public library boards and school district boards. The proposed legislation would have negatively impacted libraries across the state and taken away parental rights for Wyoming families. 

Due to WLA’s grave concerns with anti-intellectual freedom and censorship legislation, the survey inquired how incumbents voted on HB10 (if given the opportunity) or how they planned to vote, and inquired how challenging candidates would have voted if they had been in office.

Among incumbents who responded, seven indicated they voted "No" on HB10, while only two reported voting "Yes."

Among non-incumbent candidates, 17 said they would have voted "No" on HB10, compared with three who said they would have voted "Yes."

These candidates' responses generally align with the survey's broader themes of supporting professional librarians, preserving local control of library policies, maintaining public access to library materials, and opposing statewide censorship measures.

Broad consensus across respondents

Overall, the Wyoming Library Association's 2026 Legislative Candidate Survey and Gubernatorial Candidate Survey paints a picture of broad bipartisan support among respondents for Wyoming libraries and the communities they serve. Survey participants overwhelmingly:

• Affirmed the importance of public libraries

• Expressed confidence in professional librarians

• Supported local decision-making regarding library collections

• Favored continued county support for library funding.

For Wyoming voters, the survey offers a snapshot of where participating legislative candidates stand on issues affecting libraries, intellectual freedom, and local governance ahead of the 2026 election. We greatly appreciate the 50 candidates that responded, giving us a clearer picture for the upcoming election. However, there are more than 160 primary legislative candidates.  

Full survey data from the legislative candidate survey can be read here. WLA also completed a gubernatorial candidate survey, and the results are here. 

WLA encourages you to learn more about the candidates running in your district and their views on issues affecting libraries. You are welcome to share this information with your circle and other library supporters. Mark your calendars to vote in the primary on August 18, 2026. 

*Note: While 50 candidates responded to the WLA survey, survey results do show that some respondents did not complete the survey prompts beyond providing contact information. 

Disclaimer: WLA disclosed to all responding candidates that the results of this survey would be shared with WLA members, library supporters and stakeholders, and the media.