Wyoming Voters Defeat Proposition 1 Property Tax Cut

Wyoming voters defeated Proposition 1 in the November 4, 2026, general election, rejecting a citizen-led initiative that would have provided a 50% property tax exemption on the assessed value of primary residences. Final tallies showed 105,200 votes in opposition and 80,031 in favor, with approximately 58% of voters opposing the measure or leaving it blank. The initiative was the first citizen's initiative to appear on a Wyoming ballot in 30 years.

Brent Bien, along with Rich Weber and Cheryl Aguiar, spearheaded the effort, arguing that the cut provided necessary tax relief. The campaign faced significant opposition from the Vote No on Prop 1 Coalition, which spent $2.16 million to defeat the measure. This funding included a $1.425 million contribution from the National Education Association. In contrast, the supporting BCR Initiatives PAC focused on advertising and yard signs with more modest spending.

Opponents, including state agencies and the Wyoming Department of Revenue, warned that the exemption would cause annual revenue losses between $92.6 million and $125 million. They argued these losses would jeopardize funding for public schools, law enforcement, and emergency services. Following the result, Cheyenne Mayor Patrick Collins stated that voters supported local governments by defeating the measure, noting that local agencies no longer have to figure out how to operate with huge funding cuts.