Schuylkill County Elections Director Albert Gricoski said Doug Litwhiler has until Aug. 9 to withdraw from the race for sheriff.

Litwhiler said he is exiting the race because of allegations he contacted young girls.

Gricoski said the date is the last day a nominated candidate for an office may remove their name.

“He can withdraw at any time,” he said.

Aug. 19 is the final date to fill vacancies for candidates nominated in the primary who declined to continue.

Gricoski said the initial election result reports are due to the Pennsylvania Department of State Tuesday. Certification of the results is by June 17.

Litwhiler said he will withdraw once the results are certified.

He learned of Facebook posts detailing allegations Wednesday, a day after the election. He is on the Republican ballot to face Schuylkill County Sheriff Joseph Groody in the November election. He has called the accusations “ridiculous” and said he did nothing wrong.

Most of the comments do not have names to them. There are several purported screenshot Facebook messages from Litwhiler on the page making statements.

Litwhiler said he believes Groody is involved somehow, an assertion Groody denies.

Anthony Kodack, the author of the page, said he wants to share the story of those who come forward. He asks for evidence.

He said the page isn’t driven by politics. He hasn’t spoken to Groody in years.

Howard Merrick, chairman of the Schuylkill County Republican Committee, said he asked Litwhiler to resign after learning about the posts.

Merrick said he’s going to create a search committee to select a candidate for the position.