The stage is set for a third rematch in the Caddo sheriff’s race between John Nickelson and Henry Whitehorn. Actually, it is only the second head-to-head vote since the first was the primary with six candidates.
The Caddo District Court trial brought to light many election irregularities, which most likely occur in all Louisiana elections. Nonetheless, they should be addressed in the next election to avoid the one-vote victory that was, in effect, overturned by three state courts.
The Louisiana Legislature will have one or more special sessions before the March 23 election. Whether or not voting will be addressed and any legislation enacted that would affect the upcoming election is unknown at this time.
The election irregularities that need resolution include the following:
1. persons voting more than once.
2. absentee ballots not signed by the reputed voter.
3. absentee ballots that were not properly witnessed.
4. absentee ballots that were not dated
5. absentee ballots that were cast by persons not alive on the date signed
6. absentee ballots that were cast by persons interdicted on the date signed
7. absentee ballots that were cast by felons on the date signed, and
8. absentee ballots not received by the registrar of voters by the statutory deadline.
Much of the responsibility to ensure that only valid absentee ballots are counted falls on the staff of the registrar of voters and the Caddo election supervisors. Both were ill-prepared for the large volume of absentee ballots and rendered their services in a totally unacceptable fashion.
Undoubtedly, the actions of infamous voter harvester “Coach” Delaney will be closely monitored. In the primary — as well as prior Caddo elections — Delaney has witnessed many absentee ballots illegally, and most likely completed the ballot by filling in the name of the candidate voted for in the ballot.
Another concern will be the change in the voting precincts and locations for many Caddo voters. The registrar of voters has mailed new voter registration cards, but many votes will most likely be confused on election day.
The March 23 election will be historic for many reasons. Hopefully, more of these will be positive versus negative like the November general election.