A rare occurrence has unfolded in a local election in California: Bruce Judisch, who died two months before the vote, is still leading significantly in the counting process. Non-official results released Tuesday by county election officials show Judisch ahead of incumbent Clyde Klapp by a margin of 57% to 43% in the race for the Galaveras County Board of Supervisors.
According to reports, Judisch suffered a severe injury after falling during a campaign visit to voters and later died in hospital. His campaign team chose not to remove him from the ballot, leaving it to voters to decide whether to support a candidate unable to assume office. California law permits this: if a candidate dies within 68 days prior to an election, their name remains on the ballot and votes cast for them are counted. Should Judisch ultimately win, he would be declared elected—but the seat would automatically become vacant upon the start of the new term, with the governor, Gavin Newsom, appointing a successor.
Similar cases have occurred previously in the United States. In 2024, New Jersey Representative Donald Payne Jr. won a uncontested primary more than a month after his death; Jennifer Peoples, a Republican candidate in Indiana, also secured victory in a House primary following her passing. Two years earlier, Pennsylvania Democrat Tony DeLuca died just one month before the election but received nearly 86% of the vote. In 2018, Nevada Republican candidate Dennis Hof—owner of a brothel—won a state legislative race three weeks after his death, defeating Democratic opponent Lacia Romanov, leaving the seat vacant until filled by an official appointment.
To me, the situation sounds extraordinary, but it stems fundamentally from procedural mechanics rather than “ghost governance.” A deceased candidate’s ability to win typically arises from several factors: ballots have already been printed, and election laws allow votes for candidates who die before the deadline; voters may not have learned of the death in time, or they may have voted based on party affiliation or familiar names; in local elections, where information spreads slowly and competition is limited, name recognition often carries greater weight.
California’s approach appears pragmatic: a candidate can be declared elected, but the seat becomes vacant at the beginning of the new term, with the governor appointing a replacement. This avoids the cost and delay of a rerun while maintaining continuity. However, it raises questions about legitimacy—voters selected Judisch, yet the person who will actually serve was chosen by the governor. For many voters, this creates a sense that their choice was effectively transferred.
Original: toutiao.com/article/1881611882225672/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.