Resolution Regarding Vehicle Registration Addresses

WHEREAS, thousands of Wyoming drivers are registering their vehicles at addresses where they receive their mail rather than at the addresses where they, and their vehicles, reside; and

WHEREAS, in 2024 motor vehicle registration tax distributions to the Town of Thayne (1.39 sq. mi., 380 pop.) were $112,0000.00 and to the Town of Star Valley Ranch (2.7 sq. mi., 1,866 pop.) $74,000.00 because SVR residents are registering their vehicles using a Thayne P.O. Box as their “address” – not their physical address; and

WHEREAS, the Alpine Fire District gets a whopping $356,000 in property tax distributions, but a paltry $40,000 in motor vehicle taxes because Alpine residents are registering their cars in Teton, where they have Jackson P.O. boxes; and

WHEREAS, the Alpine/Etna Cemetery District is losing money because so many folks in the District register their cars in Teton County; and

WHEREAS, it is common knowledge that many motor vehicle owners in Wyoming are even registering their vehicles in neighboring states to avoid Wyoming’s exorbitant registration taxes; and

WHEREAS, in this era of much needed property tax reductions many towns and special district are losing precious funds due to out-of-jurisdiction registrations; and

WHEREAS, if our outrageously high motor vehicle registration tax rates are reduced, towns and special district have a financial interest in claiming all of the taxes due from their residents; and

WHEREAS, town, county, and district residents should not be sending motor vehicle registration fees to towns and counties outside their residence area.

Now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that motor vehicle registrations shall use the owners’ residential addresses, not post-office box addresses in another jurisdiction.

Passed:

Wyoming Republican Party, 23 Aug 2025 WYGOP SCC Meeting