After all the votes were counted, one candidate was ahead by a single vote.
A judge in Louisiana on Dec. 5 nullified an election, ruling that multiple votes were illegally cast and that those called into question the results.
“It was confirmed by witness testimony that two individuals voted twice, or ‘double voted,’ and that at least four individuals who were then and currently fully interdicted cast ballots in person the day of the election,” Judge Joe Bleich wrote in the ruling. “It was further confirmed by testimony that several accepted absentee or mail-in ballots did not comply with Louisiana law, and should have been rejected.”
Altogether, at least 11 votes were counted that should not have been in the race, which was for the position of sheriff for Caddo Parish, the judge said.
A judge in Louisiana on Dec. 5 nullified an election, ruling that multiple votes were illegally cast and that those called into question the results.
“It was confirmed by witness testimony that two individuals voted twice, or ‘double voted,’ and that at least four individuals who were then and currently fully interdicted cast ballots in person the day of the election,” Judge Joe Bleich wrote in the ruling. “It was further confirmed by testimony that several accepted absentee or mail-in ballots did not comply with Louisiana law, and should have been rejected.”
Altogether, at least 11 votes were counted that should not have been in the race, which was for the position of sheriff for Caddo Parish, the judge said.
The judge ordered a new runoff election in the sheriff’s race between Henry Whitehorn, a Democrat, and John Nickelson, a Republican.
The tally after election day showed Mr. Whitehorn ahead by a single vote. A recount by machine ended with a one-vote difference.
More than 43,000 votes were cast in the race.
Before the legal case was brought by Mr. Nickelson, the tally showed Mr. Whitehorn ahead by a single vote. A recount by machine ended with a one-vote difference.
Mr. Nickelson requested a hand recount, but the request was rejected by the Board of Election Supervisors.
By Zachary Stieber
