On August 18, 2023, Judge Rick Warren heard arguments from Attorney George Britton III representing Leslie Thompson, former Mayor of Jonesboro, Devin Flowers, Danettia Hayes, and Henry Bradley. These members of a community committee called Fit-to-Fight for Justice and Equality, challenged the Jackson Parish Registrar of Voters in her role as signature qualifier of recall petition.

While present Mayor James Harris is the subject of the recall, Louisiana Revised Statutes requires that 33-1/3% of the registered voter signatures in the town be obtained to accomplish this goal. Of the town 2084 active registered voters, the committee submitted 811 signatures only to have 134 names disqualified of which 49 were removed due to questionable signatures or handwriting.

Thompson challenged the authority of the Registrar and claimed that she did not have that authority nor the discretion under law to remove the 49 names. He claimed that to give that type of authority to an individual usurps the authority and will of the people.

The judge ruled, after reviewing the latest ruling of law handed down by the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals, that the Registrar in fact did not have the discretion to remove these names. Therefore, the names will be added back to the petition and the recall will be able to move forward.

“Generally, it’s an unpopular position to take when one is called to challenge the system, even when it’s done with the intent of protecting the rights of the people. Now that the Court has cleared the way for a recall election to be held, this matter is now in the hands of the voter. You showed great courage when you signed the petition promoting election fairness. Now you must vote in the up-coming election to support the recall. Democracy only works when it works for everyone equally. Thank you for restoring my faith in the electoral process. When the system does not get it right, the people are still vested with the power to demand that it corrects itself.” – Leslie Thompson