Paul Bell, Plaintiff-Appellee/cross-Appellant v. Einer Mickelsen, Defendant-Appellant/cross-Appellee, Wes Harper

SEYMOUR, Circuit Judge.

Paul Bell, who ran for the office of Sheriff of Platte County, Wyoming, in 1978, brought this suit under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 (1976) against Einer Mickelsen, the incumbent Sheriff and rival nominee, and Wes Harper, a resident of Platte County. Bell alleged that defendants’ actions before, during, and after the elections of that year violated his right to privacy and his right to equal access to the ballot in a state campaign, both secured by the Constitution. He also alleged that their actions deprived him of his federally created right to security as a protected witness…