Opponents of Crescent City Connection tolls have asked Jefferson Parish officials to challenge referendum results, but Jefferson Parish President John Young says he does not plan to use parish money to pay for litigation.

The Nov. 6 referendum to extend the tolls passed by a 16-vote margin.

Stop the Tolls and the Voters League of Unincorporated West Jefferson contend a formal canvass of the election results is the only way to instill confidence in the outcome.

Mike Teachworth, organizer for Stop the Tolls and Wade Perrin, chairman of the Voters League, both wrote letters to council members and parish President John Young, stressing Jefferson voters rejection of the measure.

"It is an unfair tax, a double taxation that we had to pay for 24 years where all the other bridges in the state don't have to pay," said Mike Teachworth. "Our understanding from the Secretary of the State is that a lawsuit has to be filed within 30 days to legally challenge the results of the election. We are citizens, we do not have a lot of money like the people who support the tolls renewal so we are asking our Jefferson Parish leaders to challenege the vote on the tolls," said Teachworth. "These tolls are going to take out about a quarter of a billion dollars in revenue out of Jefferson Parish and send it to other parts of the state."

When asked about the integrity of the vote count Teachworth replies, "There are a lot of question but our main question, right now, was the vote count totally proper?"

The tolls, which eastbank-bound motorists pay 40 cents with a toll tag or $1 cash, generate $21 million annually.

(Copyright 2012 by the Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)