Louisiana Supreme Court Orders Election Do-Over

In a landmark decision last week that underscores the sanctity of each vote, the Louisiana Supreme Court upheld a lower court’s ruling ordering a new election in the Caddo Parish sheriff’s race. This pivotal ruling in favor of election integrity comes after a contentious legal battle in a race initially decided by a single vote.

The original November 18 election saw Democrat Henry Whitehorn narrowly edge out Republican John Nickelson. As the single-vote margin led to intense scrutiny. Nickelson cited hurried vote counting and inaccuracies that led to a cascade of irregularities in the contest.

Louisiana Supreme Court Justice Scott Crichton wrote in his concurring opinion: “When a court is presented with proven errors, even when no candidate is responsible for those errors, it is compelled to act and uphold our Election Code.”

Judge Joe Bleich led the original investigation in Caddo Parish, which uncovered multiple instances of illegal voting, including duplicate votes and unqualified voters. Bleich made the initial order for a new election, a decision subsequently affirmed by the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals before reaching the state’s highest court.

In his reaction to the Supreme Court’s ruling, Nickelson expressed his commitment to election integrity, stating on his Facebook page, “The Louisiana Supreme Court’s decision this evening is a victory for democracy in Caddo Parish and throughout Louisiana.” Whitehorn, on the other hand, labeled the decision as a misrepresentation of the electoral process, asserting that Nickelson “misled the people of Caddo Parish.”

The case has sparked a wider debate on election integrity and the mechanisms in place to ensure fair and accurate voting processes. Justice Crichton, in his detailed opinion, highlighted a significant lapse in compliance with statutory election code procedures, particularly regarding absentee ballots. He stressed that every ballot must adhere to legal requirements, adding, “Signatures by the voter and witness can never be — and are not — mere ornaments.”

This decision is not isolated in its significance. It follows another recent incident in Bridgeport, Connecticut, where a new mayoral primary was ordered due to absentee ballot fraud. Such instances underscore the fragility of the electoral process and the importance of stringent adherence to legal voting protocols.

As the Caddo Parish gears up for another try at getting the election done correctly, the focus will remain on the integrity and transparency of the voting process. The new sheriff election has been set for March 23.