Fails to qualify

Martin O'Malley fails to qualify for Ohio ballot

By Eliza Collins

Martin O’Malley didn’t get enough signatures to secure a spot on the Ohio primary ballot, according to the Ohio secretary of state’s office.

The former Maryland governor submitted 1,175 signatures but only 772 of those were deemed acceptable by the state's Board of Elections. To qualify for the March 15 primary, a candidate must receive 1,000 valid signatures.

“Deadline to be on the ballot was Dec. 16 so there is no other action that can be taken,” spokesman Joshua Eck told POLITICO.

"Our campaign filed nearly 1,200 signatures for the Ohio ballot. While this news is disappointing, we are exploring all of our options, and Governor O'Malley will campaign vigorously in Ohio," spokeswoman Haley Morris said in a statement emailed to POLITICO. "To date, he is already on the ballot in 18 other states."