A report filed with the state's Board of Election Commissioners recommends more training for poll workers in an east Arkansas county criticized by lawmakers for its handling of a 2006 Democratic primary runoff for a state Senate seat.

The need for additional training for poll workers in St. Francis County was cited in a report submitted Wednesday. The report details irregularities found by monitors sent to the county for the May 20th primary to review the county's voting procedures.

The Senate voted last month to allow Senator Jack Crumbly of Widener to keep his seat, though the chamber also accepted a report that said his victory over former Representative Arnell Willis was marked by "flagrant" fraud in the county. A special prosecutor is investigating whether criminal actions occurred in the runoff election two years ago.

The state Board of Election Commissioners sent monitors to the county's 17 polling locations to review its procedures during the May primary election.



(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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