In a remarkably close election for Caddo Parish Sheriff in Louisiana, Republican candidate John Nickelson has called for a recount after losing by just one vote in a race where over 43,000 ballots were cast. This request highlights the significance of Louisiana’s recount process and raises concerns about the state’s outdated voting machines, which lack an auditable paper trail. Such a trail is deemed crucial by experts for verifying election accuracy.
The demand for a recount in this tight race underscores the importance of recount capabilities, a topic that gained national attention during the 2020 presidential election. The Democrat winner, Henry Whitehorn, has yet to comment on the recount request.
Caddo Clerk of Court Mike Spence, with 46 years of experience, noted the rarity of such a close race with a large voter turnout, emphasizing the importance of every vote. The recount, scheduled for Monday, will only re-tally absentee ballots, which form about 17% of the total votes and are the only source of a paper trail in Louisiana’s current voting system.
Louisiana’s paperless touch screen voting machines, purchased in 2005, are now outdated and the subject of criticism for their lack of a paper trail. Despite assurances of election security from officials like Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin, the need for modernized voting technology is evident. The recount process in other states during the 2020 election, particularly in Georgia, which had recently updated its voting system, highlights the importance of having a reliable method to verify election results.
The state has been attempting to replace these machines for five years, but the process has been delayed due to allegations of a rigged bidding process. Secretary of State-elect Nancy Landry has prioritized implementing a new voting system, although it is unlikely to be in place before the 2024 presidential election.
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