The way it was: Primary election -- 1956

Aug 19, 2012 - From staff reports

Fremont County's primary election has been as early as May and as late as September across the generations, but mid- to late August has been the most-common time frame. Such was the case in 1956, when a crowded primary ballot was presented to voters. The population of the county was only about half of what it is 64 years later, but there were many more voting precincts then than now -- 51 to be exact, with forgotten names such as Rongis, Kell, Dallas and Borners Garden.

This picture shows a campaign ad for Mel Hallam, the Lander businessman and former mayor who was running for one of three seats representing Fremont County in the Wyoming Legislature. Incumbent George Bermingham of rural Dubois was the clear frontrunner on primary night with 1,685 votes countywide, with Hallam second at 1,385. Three months later, Hallam again ran second to Bermingham and was elected to the Wyoming House of Representatives. Incumbent Democrat Don Spiker of Riverton was turned out of office, finishing fourth in the three-seat race to A.J. "Gus" Harendorf of Lander.