A closely contested election for sheriff in Shreveport’s Caddo Parish, Louisiana, resulted in a single-vote victory for Democratic candidate Henry Whitehorn after a recount.
However, the Republican opponent, John Nickelson, challenged the results due to alleged fraudulent voting and flaws in the electoral process.
Retired justice E. Joseph Bleich ruled in Nickelson’s favor, declaring the election results void and ordering another runoff election due to proven illegal votes.
‼️LOUISIANA RECOUNT‼️
Did you know that the Caddo Parish sheriff election was decided by 1 vote?
Henry Whitehorn (D) received 21,621 votes to John Nickleson’s (R) 21,620.
While more than 43,000 votes were cast, only around 7,700 mail-in ballots will be rescanned.
LA’s…
— #ThePersistence (@ScottPresler) November 26, 2023
“This runoff election involved a one-vote margin,” Bleich wrote in his ruling.
“It was proven beyond any doubt that there were at least 11 illegal votes cast and counted,” he added.
“It is legally impossible to know what the true vote should have been.”
‼️BREAKING‼️
Remember when I posted about the recount in the Louisiana Caddo Parish sheriff election — which was won by 1 vote?
A judge just ruled the election results are void.
Justice Bleich said at least 11 illegal votes were cast & counted.https://t.co/axFFeXwvw4
— #ThePersistence (@ScottPresler) December 5, 2023
This decision sparked controversy, with the losing camp claiming insufficient evidence of fraud.
“The judiciary should not decide elections,” Whitehorn said.
“Louisiana courts have made it clear that the results of an election are to be disturbed only under extraordinary circumstances where a plaintiff introduces compelling evidence that is sufficient to change the result in the election.”
The case has drawn attention from Republican activists and may resonate with conservatives concerned about voter fraud, as indicated by a recent survey showing widespread belief in potential cheating in the 2024 election cycle.
