Republican candidate for Wyoming Secretary of State Charles "C.J." Young addressed a group of Sheridan County residents at The Powder Horn Golf Community, outlining his experience in state government and his vision for the future of the Secretary of State's Office.
Young's presentation centered on four primary responsibilities of the office: protecting election integrity, strengthening Wyoming's business services, ensuring government transparency, and providing dependable leadership grounded in Wyoming law.
Having previously served as Director of the Elections Division in the Wyoming Secretary of State's Office, Young spoke from firsthand experience about the state's election system. He explained Wyoming's election statutes, the safeguards already built into the process, and the important role county clerks, election judges, and citizens play in maintaining voter confidence.
One topic that generated considerable discussion was hand counting of ballots. Young emphasized that Wyoming statutes already provide opportunities for hand-count verification, and that election integrity depends on citizens being willing to serve as election judges and observers. He noted that transparent elections require both sound laws and active public participation.
Young also discussed the Secretary of State's responsibility for business registrations, corporate filings, and oversight of registered agents. He explained that Wyoming has earned a national reputation for being business-friendly but said the office must continue working to ensure legitimate businesses can efficiently operate while preventing misuse of Wyoming's corporate registration system. He believes the office should remain responsive to entrepreneurs while protecting the integrity of the state's business registry.
Throughout the evening, Young outlined several priorities he would pursue if elected. Among them are improving communication with Wyoming's county clerks, continuing to modernize services without sacrificing security, increasing transparency throughout the Secretary of State's Office, and focusing on practical solutions rather than political rhetoric.
Young brings a diverse background to the race. Raised on a Wyoming ranch, he says he learned the importance of hard work, responsibility, and service from an early age. His career has included service with the Wyoming Department of Corrections, where he worked in policy, compliance, and public information, followed by his leadership role directing the state's Elections Division.
Most recently, Young served as Military and Veterans Liaison for Congresswoman Harriet Hageman, assisting Wyoming veterans and active-duty service members as they navigated federal agencies, and connecting communities with congressional resources. Earlier this year, he resigned that position to campaign full time across Wyoming.
In addition to his civilian career, Young serves as an officer in the United States Navy Reserve and volunteers with Civil Air Patrol, mentoring young people and supporting emergency services throughout Wyoming. He holds degrees from Western Wyoming Community College, the University of Wyoming, and the University of Wyoming College of Law.
During the question-and-answer session, attendees asked about election procedures, voter confidence, business regulations, and the evolving responsibilities of the Secretary of State's Office. Young repeatedly stressed that the office should operate professionally, follow Wyoming law, and serve the citizens rather than political interests.
"The Secretary of State's Office exists to serve the people of Wyoming," Young told attendees, emphasizing that transparency, accountability, and consistency are essential to maintaining public trust.
For more information about C.J. Young's campaign for Wyoming Secretary of State, visit cjyoungforwyoming.com or contact the campaign at (307) 317-1133, email info@cjyoungforwyoming.com, or by mail at P.O. Box 4103, Cheyenne, WY 82003.