Posted on 11/28/2023 9:42:18 AM PST by Macho MAGA Man
https://www.ksla.com/2023/12/05/judge-makes-ruling-caddo-parish-sheriff-recount-lawsuit/
Judge makes ruling in Caddo Parish sheriff recount lawsuit
By Rachael Thomas
Published: Dec. 5, 2023 at 10:26 AM CST|Updated: 47 minutes ago
CADDO PARISH, La. (KSLA) - Retired Louisiana Supreme Court Justice E. Joseph Bleich has made a ruling in the election lawsuit filed by Caddo Parish sheriff candidate, John Nickelson.
That ruling came down Tuesday, Dec. 5. The judge ruled the results of the Nov. 18 runoff election, in which Henry Whitehorn defeated Nickelson by one vote, are declared void. It was further ordered a new runoff election shall be conducted. It’s expected that Whitehorn’s team will appeal this decision. They have until 9:56 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 8 to do so.
The ruling states “it was proven beyond any doubt that there were at least 11 illegal votes cast and counted” and that it is “legally impossible to know what the true vote should have been.”
The ruling goes on to highlight the following irregularities that affected the outcome of the runoff election:
Two people voted twice
At least five votes case by absentee/mail-in ballots which should not have been counted for failure to comply with the law
Four invalid votes cast by interdicted persons who were unqualified voters
The judge stated “this new runoff election is necessary not only for the candidates, but also to ensure the public’s right to untainted election results.”
Excellent news. Thanks for posting that update.
I know that judge personally, and I was mildly surprised, as he’s got a somewhat liberal judicial history. I expect the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals and the Louisiana Supreme Court to uphold his ruling.
Nickelson, Whitehorn respond to ruling for new election
by: Marlo Lacen, Matthew Stephens
Posted: Dec 5, 2023 / 03:02 PM CST
Updated: Dec 5, 2023 / 04:55 PM CST
CADDO PARISH, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – Both Caddo Sheriff candidates Henry Whitehorn and John Nickelson responded Tuesday to a judge’s decision to order a new election.
Whitehorn called the decision disappointing.
In the news release that was sent on Tuesday afternoon, Whitehorn expressed his opinion that the single-vote victory should stand and vows to appeal to the Second Circuit Court of Appeal and, if necessary, the Louisiana State Supreme Court.
“I am pursuing an appeal to the Second Circuit Court of Appeal and if necessary to the Louisiana Supreme Court. But if we are unsuccessful at getting a reversal of the district court’s decision and forced to have a special election, my faith in God and my belief in the great people of Caddo Parish assures me that, for a third time, I will win the Sheriff’s race.”
Henry Whitehorn
Whitehorn also reiterated his belief every vote counts and that a single voter can make a difference and that overturning the result is essentially saying, “every vote matters, except if the win is by one.”
The candidate for sheriff said that the court’s decision has not shaken his belief in the constitution, democracy, the rule of law, and the notion that every vote does matter.
His opponent, John Nickelson, also issued a statement reacting to the decision.
“We are humbled and so grateful that the Court ruled in favor of our challenge. The Court’s ruling is a victory for election integrity, and we should all be confident that in March the voters of Caddo Parish will make their voices heard definitely on who should be the next Sheriff of our parish. I plan to work doubly hard to make sure that every voter knows why our vision for Caddo Parish as a safer, stronger community is worthy of their vote.”
John Nickelson
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