Living in Wyoming during these tumultuous times feels oddly surreal. While national tensions rise and economic concerns loom, daily life here continues with surprising normalcy. It is as if this is a separate reality.
This state offers breathtaking natural beauty largely untouched by development. I regularly encounter deer, antelope, raptors, and various smaller wildlife, with an occasional sighting of moose and bears. The accessibility of hiking and kayaking just a few miles from my home is an added bonus.
When I first arrived, I appreciated the "live and let live" philosophy embraced by longtime residents. However, this mindset seems to be evolving in recent years due to an increasingly polarized online information landscape.
Wyoming's political landscape is interesting given its small population. In 2024, only 454,508 people were eligible to vote. Primary election turnout reached approximately 125,000, while general election participation increased to about 275,000. These participation rates align with national trends, yet the state's political makeup could theoretically shift with a relatively modest influx of 100,000 new residents from more progressive states.
Many people blame non-voters for political problems, but my time with Wyoming residents who don't vote suggests a more complex reality. Their disengagement often stems from feeling abandoned by a political system that has consistently overlooked rural Americans, the economically disadvantaged, and those struggling to make ends meet.
Voting itself presents logistical challenges that many take for granted. Those who can easily take time off work or who own reliable transportation have advantages in participating. Even during Democratic administrations, hardworking individuals determined to improve their circumstances have faced systemic barriers that make upward mobility difficult despite their best efforts. You can argue that they should know that this current administration will only make their lives harder, but they are too busy just trying to survive to care.
Recent protests have been small but significant, with demonstrators outnumbering counter-protesters. This creates an interesting dynamic in America's least populated state, where the rugged beauty conflicts with increasingly complex political realities.
Anyway, back to making it through another day.
May the 4th be with you.