Republican John Nickelson, a candidate for Caddo Parish Sheriff, has filed a lawsuit seeking a new runoff election against Democrat Henry Whitehorn, who won after a recount by one vote. Political Analyst Scott Hughes says a district court judge is set to hear the case Thursday and a ruling could be made the next day.
“Well, there’s been a decision that some ballots where someone maybe someone voted twice. Maybe some people died in the process where they had cast a ballot and then later died. Those are all issues that can be argued in court.”
Out of more than 43 thousand votes, 7 thousand mail-in ballots were rescanned by the Caddo Board of Elections. After recounting all the ballots, an additional three ballots were tallied for each candidate.
Hughes says mail-in votes did not arrive until the Friday before election day He says at least two voters who voted absentee went to check on Election Day and they were allowed to vote a second time…
“They are effectively double-counted in what might be the certified total. It will take a judge I believe to look at that situation. Remove those and or rule on any other discrepancies that might be raised by one party in a legal challenge.”
If the district court’s ruling is appealed, Hughes says the case will be heard by the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeal. He says attorneys for both candidates and several members of the public watched the recount in person.
“I do think the process is being followed. Hopefully it gives all the voters in Caddo Parish confidence that there is a process. And we’ll keep going one step at a time until we have an actual declared winner at this point appears to still be Mr. Whitehorn.”
If the appellate court’s opinion is appealed, the case would advance to the Louisiana Supreme Court.
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