O-S-B-I is investigating runoff in LeFlore County

(Poteau-AP) -- A primary runoff election in LeFlore County is under investigation by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.

District Attorney Rob Wallace and O-S-B-I agent Donnie Long are looking into alleged improprieties in the Democratic runoff for county sheriff.

LeFlore County Election Board Secretary Phillip Zearly has admitted that non-Democrats were allowed to vote in the runoff in some precincts.

State Election Board Secretary Lance Ward says his office was contacted on the day of the runoff by a county election board employee. Ward says the employee reported that a number of irregular votes had apparently been cast.

Ward says he has no evidence or specific allegations of fraud.

Sheriff Kendall Ballew won the runoff by one vote. A re-count that was requested by challenger Roy Gentry gave Gentry a one vote victory and the results have been certified by the LeFlore County Election Board.