CHEYENNE -- The Wyoming attorney general's office will be notified of illegal automated phone calls on behalf of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.

Peggy Nighswonger, administrator of the elections division of the secretary of state's office, said she received one e-mail complaint about the automated campaign phone calls. The e-mail complained said the call on Friday evening featured Michelle Obama, wife of the candidate, asking for support in the upcoming state Democratic caucuses.

Nighswonger, who said she also received one of the automated calls at home, noted that Monday, Presidents' Day, was a state holiday, which could account for the absence of more complaints.

"We will probably write to the state and national Democratic Party and advise them that it is not allowable in Wyoming," Nighswonger said.

Shannon Gibson of the Obama campaign said the illegal phone calls were unintentional.

"We took them down as quickly as possible,” Gibson said. “And in total they ran for about an hour.”

Nighswonger said the secretary of state's office received similar complaints of illegal phone calls during earlier election cycles.

During the 2006 general election, the office received three complaints about illegal calls linked to the U.S. House race and the race for governor. One complaint was about someone using a fake New York accent to misrepresent Democratic U.S. House candidate Gary Trauner's position on key issues.

A spokesman for Trauner, who lost a close race to Republican incumbent Barbara Cubin, said the calls could have had an impact on Trauner's tally. Cubin won the race by 1,012 votes out of 193,369 cast, according to unofficial results. Trauner is a former New York resident.

Another complaint was about an almost threatening male voice urging a Cheyenne voter to support Republican candidates.

Joe Meyer, then secretary of state, now state treasurer, turned the complaints over to the Laramie County district attorney and the U.S. attorney's office.

Right to Life of Wyoming admitted its national affiliate made automated calls to support Cubin before realizing the calls are illegal in Wyoming, Meyer said. Cubin's campaign denied any connection with the illegal campaign calls.

State law prohibits calls that combine automated dialing devices with recorded messages. The crime is a misdemeanor and carries a maximum sentence of six months in jail and a $750 fine.

The automated calls also were an issue in the 2002 gubernatorial primary election, with complaints about both Republican and Democratic candidates.

Meanwhile, 11 Wyoming legislators are endorsing Obama, including eight who appeared at a news conference Monday morning at the Obama Wyoming campaign headquarters in Cheyenne.

The 11 Democratic legislators who are supporting the Illinois senator are Sens. Mike Massie of Laramie and Ken Decaria of Evanston, and Reps. Debbie Hammons, Worland; Ross Diercks, Lusk; Pete Jorgensen, Jackson; Patrick Goggles, Ethete; Lori Millin and Mary Throne, both Cheyenne; Stan Blake, Green River; Marty Martin, Rock Springs; and Jane Warren, Laramie.

The Obama campaign has four offices across Wyoming. The state Democratic county conventions are March 8.

Contact Joan Barron at joan.barron@trib.com or by phone at 307-632-1244.