Appeals Court Will Hear Appeal in Caddo Election on Monday

SHREVEPORT, LA - All eyes will be watching the court proceedings at the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeal on Monday. A 5 judge panel of the court is set to hear the election dispute involving the Caddo Sheriff's election. The judges will hear the appear from candidate Henry Whitehorn.

Whitehorn is appealing this week's decision in Caddo District Court that calls for a new election in the race. That ruling by Ad hoc Judge Joe Bleich voided the Nov. 18 election results.

Judge Bleich ruled there was no way to determine exactly who won the election because there was no doubt that at least 11 illegal votes were cast in the runoff election between Whitehorn and John Nickelson.

Nickelson then sued Whitehorn and election officials, alleging voting irregularities.

Bleich said among the votes he deemed illegal were two who voted twice, five cast by absentee/mail-in ballots that should not have been counted and four invalid votes by interdicted persons who were unqualified to vote.

Whitehorn's attorneys filed the appeal Tuesday afternoon. The 2nd Circuit has told attorneys to have briefs filed by 10am today and the hearing is set for 11am Monday morning.

A ruling from the 2nd Circuit is expected quickly and the case will likely be appealed to the State Supreme Court.