Six earn write-in nominations for council

WORLAND – Six candidates for three wards in Worland qualified for the November ballot after Tuesday’s primary election, thanks to a majority of write-in votes from city voters.

The Office of County Clerk issued certified letters of notification to the candidates on Thursday, and they will have five days upon receipt to reply if they want to seek the office. If they choose to seek office, they must file and pay the filing fee.

For Ward 1 (a four-year term), Joe P. Vigil received six qualifying votes, while Gerald F. Alexander and Delayne Renner each received three. Two candidates can advance to the general election since no one had filed for the position prior to the primary election.

Vigil with the most write-in votes as issued a letter for one of the spots on the ballot.

Since there was a tie for the second write-in nomination, canvassing judges picked out of a hat and chose Renner to be contacted first, if she chooses not to run, Alexander will be contacted next for the ballot position.

For Ward 2 (a four-year term), only Melissa Johnson qualified, with three votes. If Johnson accepts, she will challenge current council member Christy Schneider. Schneider filed to retain her seat and received 382 votes in Tuesday’s primary.

In Ward 3 (two two-year terms), voters wrote-in former Worland Mayor Kreg Lombard 19 times, while Melissa Rivera received three. Both may accept their write-in nominations.

On Tuesday, Worland City Councilmember (Ward 1) Gary Gerber, received 385 votes. He will be unopposed in the general election for a two-year term.

There were a total of 54 write-in votes cast in the council races. Several people received just one vote, some received two. Three votes are required for a valid write-in nomination.

The general election will be held Nov. 6.