Bucks County Absentee Ballots Counted Amid Fraud Allegations

DOYLESTOWN, Pa. (CBS) -- The Bucks County Board of Elections has begun counting more than 8,000 absentee ballots at the county courthouse (above) amid allegations of ballot fraud in the 8th District Congressional race.

The absentee ballots won't affect the outcome of the race between Mike Fitzpatrick and Patrick Murphy (see related story), but there are still at least two state legislative races that hang in the balance.

The ballots were impounded by the Board of Elections last week amid the fraud allegations, according to county commissioner Charley Martin:

"Some of the other ones that were more serious have been and will be referred to the district attorney's office.  And if he believes that there was actual evidence of fraud, those must be investigated."

Given the controversy surrounding the Congressional race in Bucks County, Martin says he's spoken to a couple of state lawmakers about taking a closer look at the election codes -- because he says they are extremely vague and need to be updated and clarified.

Reported by Brad Segall, KYW Newsradio 1060.