Henry Whitehorn (left) John Nickelson (right)
Nearly 7500 mailed-in ballots in the Caddo Parish Sheriff race are being rescanned today to determine if the winner is Republican John Nickelson or Democrat Henry Whitehorn. Nickelson demanded a recount Wednesday after losing to Whitehorn by only one vote. Caddo Clerk of Court Mike Spence hopes this will teach residents that every vote counts.
“I’ve been here 46 years and never seen one vote make a difference. Now voters can’t say well my vote doesn’t matter anyway. That day’s gone.”
Whitehorn who served as the head of the Louisiana State Police, received 21,621.
In Louisiana, Spence says in order to initiate the process a candidate has to request a recount.
“But it’s democracy at its best to make sure everything’s done correctly.”
According to the Clerk of Court, it was discovered that two people inadvertently voted twice.
Spence says more than 43,000 votes were cast in the race. As it relates to early voting ballots and votes cast on Election Day…
“Well those don’t change, those are done on machines and the numbers have already been certified they don’t change. It’s the only thing that possibly can change is the mail-in.”
A winner will be certified at noon today at the Caddo Parish Courthouse in downtown Shreveport. If a tie occurs after the recount, there will be another election held Dec. 10.
Comments