Tony Holland's name is on the April 9 ballot for Moline Township supervisor even though he says he's no longer running.

"I'm not asking people not to vote for me," the Republican said. "But I'm not running in the election."

Mr. Holland said he had planned to run, but changed his mind, and it was too late to have his name taken off the ballot. What would happen if he wins the election is unclear.

The reason Mr. Holland decided to withdraw from the race was because he was worried his candidacy would be challenged by his opponent, Democratic incumbent Don Johnston.

To be township supervisor, candidates must have lived in Moline Township for 12 months before their party's caucus.

Mr. Holland said he missed that window by two weeks and a friend told him Mr. Johnston would challenge his candidacy.

But Mr. Johnston did not challenge Mr. Holland's nominating papers in the week after he filed for the election, which usually is when challenges are made.

Mr. Johnston said he was aware of his opponents residency problems but decided to take the high road and not make an issue out of it."I don't like to throw people off the ballot," he said. "It's not smart politics."

If Mr. Holland would prevail in the April 9 election, Mr. Johnston said he would not take the matter to court. But the Democrat's word is not good enough for Mr. Holland, who said he doesn't believe that Mr. Johnston would leave the matter alone.

Illinois State Board of Elections spokesman Jim Tenuto said that if Mr. Holland wins the election, he will be certified as the victor. Someone then would have to take an action in court to argue Mr. Holland was not qualified for the victory, for it to be invalidated.