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A week ago, Judge William Morvant in Baton Rouge ordered a re-count of the mail-in ballots cast in New Orleans. It was welcome news to opponents of extending the tolls, like Gibby Andry of Citizens Against Tolls. He is among those watching this closely. Andry said he was surprised when, after holding a margin of a few hundred votes, the decision to end tolls on the bridge suddenly became a 16-vote decision to extend them.
"That's a big swing in votes," said Andry, who says the bright side for those who share his view is that it will only take a few corrected ballots to get the results they want.
"At least 16 votes, and that the tolls will die the natural death that they should have," he said.
Several politicians and some business groups campaigned for the toll extension, arguing the money provides a dedicated source of funds to maintain the bridge, eliminating the need for the Crescent City Connection to compete with other state highways for funding.
New Orleans elections officials say once they hear a date for the recount, they can have it done in hours, and announce results immediately.
