The fate of whether an independent candidate for the office now rests with the state secretary of state.
The Ohio Secretary of State will have to decide a matter as to whether an independent candidate for Pickaway County Sheriff will be allowed on the November ballot.
The Pickaway County Board of Elections recently tied in their vote as to whether to allow the certification of Jeff Lawless, based on his level of law enforcement experience, required by Ohio law to seek the position of county sheriff.
Lawless says he worked as a full-time officer over the last four years for South Bloomfield Police Department, although he claims he didn't not accept pay for the job.
South Bloomfield records show that while Lawless was considered to be a lieutenant on the police force, village records showed no verification of his employment between 2008 and the present.
