State Rep. Carl M. Sciortino, D-Medford, may be forced to mount a write-in campaign in September to retain his seat, after Judge Linda E. Giles today ruled against his bid to have his name placed on the ballot. According to Sciortino’s attorney, 12 nomination papers containing 72 signatures were taken by an unknown person from his State House office. That left Sciortino 36 signatures shy of the required 150.

Sciortino is being challenged by Ward Seven Alderman Robert C. Trane.