What wasn't a race for four seats on Sharpsville council became one Monday when an incumbent's name was added to the ballot at the last minute, giving voters a choice of five candidates.

Council Vice President Thomas Lally, 57, of 42 N. 12th St., a Democrat, lost in the primary to Democrat John D. Alfredo, who later dropped out of the race.

Monday, Mercer County Elections and Registration Director James Bennington added Lally's name to the ballot after Democratic officials petitioned the county Court of Common Pleas. The county's new computerized voting machines made the change possible.

In the end, Lally was the second-highest vote-getter with 783. Incumbent Robert K. Piccirilli, 46, of 440 Koehler Drive, was the front-runner with 810 votes.

Lally previously served on council from 1985 to 1990 and from 1990 to 1996. He was elected to two terms and appointed to two terms.

Piccirilli has been a councilman for 12 years.

Also winning seats on council were incumbent Jack Cardwell, 50, of 418 Pierce Ave., with 694 votes, and Gary "Gus" Grandy, 46, of 614 S. Eighth St., with 697 votes.

Cardwell has been on council since 1994. Grandy served four terms on council from 1984 to 1999, serving as president from 1995 to 1997.

Piccirilli, Cardwell and Grandy are all Democrats.

The lone Republican on the ballot, Alice Connelly, 62, of 1645 W. Ridge Ave., lost with 472 votes.