uring the 1960s, there were many municipal mergers across Norway due to the work of the Schei Committee.

On 1 January 1964, the following areas were merged to form a new, larger Steigen Municipality:[10] The municipality was originally named Ledingen after the old name for the local fjord that is now called Leinesfjorden (Old Norse: Leiðangrar).

At the time of the municipal dissolution, it was part of the Steigen prestegjeld and the Nordre Salten prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Sør-Hålogaland.

The municipal council (Herredsstyre) of Leiranger was made up of representatives that were elected to four year terms.

The tables below show the historical composition of the council by political party.