O’Malley Misses Ohio Write-In Deadline

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

O’Malley Misses Ohio Write-In Deadline

January 6, 2016 3:49 PM

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Democrat Martin O’Malley has failed to qualify as a write-in candidate for Ohio’s presidential primary after he missed a deadline to file the paperwork, a spokesman for the state’s elections chief said Wednesday.

The former Maryland governor previously fell short of the signatures required for his name to appear on the March 15 primary ballot. He then sought to be a write-in candidate but missed the deadline of 4 p.m. Monday to file a declaration of intent with Ohio’s secretary of state.

The office received O’Malley’s paperwork at about 8 a.m. Tuesday, Josh Eck, a spokesman for Republican Secretary of State Jon Husted, told The Associated Press.

O’Malley has no way under state law to appeal.

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Read more: http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2016/01/06/omalley-misses-ohio-write-in-deadline/

[Nonhlanhla]

1. It's just a matter of time

before he calls it quit. You cannot ignore Ohio, not even in the primaries. It is a too important state in the general election.

I like MOM, but it seems clear to me that he's getting ready to exit.

[elleng]

2. There is no evidence that he is 'getting ready to exit.'

The Ohio stuff appears to be due to bad staff work, anyone can suffer that, and many have.

He's working hard in Iowa and New Hampshire and Nevada this week.

[Nonhlanhla]

8. THIS is the evidence

After not making sure that he gets on the ballot in Ohio, he subsequently did not even make sure that he qualifies as write-in candidate. And this in a state that will be crucial to win if he becomes the nominee.

I have nothing against O'Malley. But this kind of lackluster campaigning is a clear sign of a campaign that is starting to come to an end.

If I'm wrong and O'Malley pulls of a huge upset, I will gladly support him in the general, and hope his campaign people pull their socks up.

[brooklynite]

3. Why do you need to "qualify" as a write-in candidate?

I thought the idea was that voters had the right to write-in anyone they wanted.

[elleng]

6. The Ohio process:

A qualified person who has filed a declaration of intent may receive write-in votes at either a primary or general election. Any candidate shall file a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate before four p.m. of the seventy-second day preceding the election at which such candidacy is to be considered. http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/3513.041
Lawriter - ORC - 3513.041 Write-in votes.
A write-in space shall be provided on the ballot for every office, except in an election for which the board of elections has received no valid declarations of intent to be a write-in candidate under this section. Write-in votes shall not be counted for any candidate who has not filed a declaration…
CODES.OHIO.GOV

[oldandhappy]

4. The few times I have heard him speak, I liked him.

And, the inadequate prep and the lack of awareness of the rules in Ohio and the evident bad staffing make me think he is not a very good candidate. Sorry. Know some of you are loyal.

[elleng]

5. He was a very good candidate in Maryland,

mayor and governor. This is a huge task, and he's carrying on with big competition problems given the DNC and MSM's refusal to give him the time of day.

[Art_from_Ark]

7. O'Malley's my Number 2 pick

I'm solidly for Bernie, but I don't have any issues with O'Malley. I watched him in the most recent debate, and I do think he got stiffed on a couple of questions when he wasn't allowed to express his opinion or rebut something Hillary had said.

[Freddie Stubbs]

10. If he can't run a competent campaign, why should we believe that he would be a competent President?

[NurseJackie]

9. This is such a strange development.

And I'm sure it's disappointing for O'Malley's supporters.

[MineralMan]

11. Clearly, he is not a genuinely serious candidate.

Ohio is one of those "essential" states. If he can't manage to get enough signatures to get on the ballot and doesn't make a deadline to file as a write-in candidate, it's a clear indication that his campaign organization is not doing its job in an important state.

He'll probably withdraw following the NH and Iowa primary and caucus dates. He simply does not have enough support to continue.