A highly competitive Baton Rouge Senate race is likely headed for a hand recount after a voting tally adjustment results in a tie between Republican Representatives Franklin Foil and Steve Carter.
As of Sunday morning, it looked like Foil would make the run-off over Carter by an eight vote margin. Senator Dan Claitor, who was term-limited out of the disputed seat, says it’s an incredible development.
“There will have to be a hand count to make sure that all of the votes are properly tabulated because the system is already in question,” says Claitor. “Once there is a hand count and we know what the actual vote was, probably the dust will settle.”
Democrat Beverly Brooks Thompson took home the most votes in the district and is guaranteed a spot in the run-off.
The recent update puts both Carter and Foil at 12,522. Former state Democratic Party Chairman Jim Nichol says each campaign will be able to select two Representatives to witnesses the recount.
“All of the campaigns will be present and able to examine everything that happens and witness the final number. It won’t be done in private,” says Henderson.
If the vote remains tied, a three-way run-off will likely be held. Whoever obtains a plurality of votes would then be elected without needing over 50 percent.
The race for the 16th had the second-highest turnout of any state senate competition. Nichol says this race is another reminder that every vote counts.
“I suspect there are Franklin Foil voters out there who went to the LSU game and didn’t vote or some Carter fans that maybe forgot to go vote, and they’ve got to be kicking themselves this morning,” says Nichol.
