YOUNGSTOWN McNally isn't running anymore, but might still win House seat

McNally's name is still on the ballot, even though he withdrew last week.
By BOB JACKSON
VINDICATOR COURTHOUSE REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Jerome F. McNally's name will still be on the primary election ballot in March, even though he's withdrawn from the race to represent the 60th Ohio House District.
And if McNally collects the most votes in the race for the seat, he would be declared the winner, said Mark Munroe, chairman of the Mahoning County Board of Elections.
McNally, a former Youngstown councilman, announced last week that he had withdrawn from the March 2 primary. He was challenging incumbent state Rep. Sylvester D. Patton Jr. for the Democratic nomination. Michael O'Hara of Youngstown also is in that race. McNally said he withdrew to devote more time to his family.
Too late
But Munroe said McNally's withdrawal letter was submitted about a week too late to get his name off the ballot. That's because in presidential election years, federal election law requires candidates to withdraw from a race no less than 50 days before the election.
Munroe said that in other years, candidates have more time to withdraw from a race.
If a candidate withdraws after the mandatory deadline in presidential election years, his or her name remains on the ballot, and the board is required to count all votes cast for them, Munroe said.
That means if McNally gets the most votes in that race, he would be declared the winner, even though he's already declared his intention to not run, Munroe said.
If McNally does win and does not want to seek office, he would have to resign the office, Munroe said.
bjackson@vindy.com