Write-ins could change municipal races in general election

WORLAND — All Worland municipal candidates will advance to the Nov. 3 general election based on unofficial results from Tuesday’s primary election.

Mayor Jim Gill, seeking a second term, received 1,149 of the 1,213 total votes cast. There were 64 write-ins cast. A person needs only three write-in votes to be eligible.

If there is an eligible candidate or candidates, the person with the most write-in votes will be offered the nomination to be on the general election ballot. If that person declines then the next write-in nominee would be offered the nomination.

For non-partisan races, the top two vote getters advance to the general election.

For Ward 1 2-year race, Adam Martinez garnered 308 votes to Kenneth Shearer’s 180 votes. Shearer was appointed the council earlier this year. Both will advance to the general election.

Scott Schaeffer was unopposed for the Ward 1 four-year seat. He received 456 votes. There were 10 write-in nominations so there is the possibility of a challenger in the general election. Keith Gentzler opted not to seek re-election for this seat.

There are two seats open for Ward 2 with four candidates on Tuesday’s primary ballot. Wendy Fredricks topped the ballot with 290 votes, followed by current council members Mandy Horath 195 and Kody DeMunbrun 194. Morgan Muller received 147 votes. All four will advance to the general election.

In Ward 3, Mike Neufer was unopposed for the two-year seat, receiving 261 votes. There were 14 write-in votes cast.

There were no candidates for the four-year seat but 52 write-in votes were cast.

Write-in votes will be counted and announced following the meeting of the county canvassing board on Thursday.

In other municipal races in the area, In Thermopolis there were three candidates on the ballot for two council seats. Dusty Lewis received 574, William H. Malloy 461 and Bradyn Harvey 377. There were also 18 write-in votes cast.

In East Thermopolis Bonnie Smith earned 50 votes and Jack Kuiper 49 for two open seats on the council. There were eight write-in votes cast.

Alberta Hurley and Tina L. Kealsing each received 12 voted in Kirby for two seats on the council, both advance to the general election. There were nine write-in votes.

Jessica K. Slagle was unopposed in the primary for Kirby mayor. She received 16 votes. There were four write-in votes.

In Big Horn County, there were three candidates for two council seats in Basin. Carl Olson received 255, Stuart DesRosier 234 and Stephen Naso with 123. There were 16 write-in votes.

In Burlington, Jenny Booth received 60 voted and Don Hibbert 54 for two seats on the council.

In Manderson, there were six candidates for two seats. Advancing to the general election are Johnny Davis and Aleta Driver, each with 24 votes, Tim Patrick with 20 and Rod Patrick with 19. Howard Applegarth and Anna Hall had 10 and 4 votes, respectively.