16.11.2026 01:40
In the US state of California, 68-year-old Bruce Giudici died after falling during his election campaign. However, because his name could not be removed from the ballot, his campaign continued after his death. In the election held on November 3, the deceased candidate moved ahead of his opponent by 2,002 votes. The results are expected to be finalized on December 3.
The US election system witnessed an unusual development. Bruce Giudici, 68, who was competing to be elected to the board of supervisors responsible for municipal administration in Calaveras County, California, placed ahead of his opponent in the election after he died.
Giudici was running against former administrator Clyde Clapp for District 5 Board of Supervisors membership. However, the campaign of the candidate, who died about two months before the election, continued by decision of his team. Voters were able to vote for Giudici at the polls on November 3.
HE DIED AFTER FALLING DURING ELECTION CAMPAIGN
On August 30, 2026, Giudici fell on a steep road while conducting an election campaign by going door to door in the rural Valley Springs area. The 68-year-old candidate, who suffered severe head trauma, died in the hospital on August 31.
After Giudici's death, his campaign team evaluated whether to continue election work. Thinking that the candidate wanted to continue the election race, the team decided to continue the campaign.
Volunteers continued knocking on voters' doors, sending text messages, and publishing advertisements in local newspapers.
HIS NAME COULD NOT BE REMOVED FROM THE BALLOT
The reason Giudici's name remained on the ballot after his death was the deadline in California election law. The deadline set for removing the candidate's name from the list was August 27. Giudici died four days after that date.
In a statement on September 1, the Election Board announced that Giudici's name would remain on the ballot in the November 3 elections and that votes cast for him would be considered valid.
The statement said that if he obtained a majority, he would be considered legally elected despite having died. In that case, a temporary name would be appointed to the vacant seat by the Governor of California.
HE BEAT HIS OPPONENT BY 497 VOTES
According to the results published by Calaveras County, Giudici received 2,002 votes and 57.09 percent support. His opponent Clyde Clapp remained at 1,505 votes and 42.91 percent.
Thus, the deceased candidate moved 497 votes ahead of his opponent. The election results have not yet been officially finalized. According to SFGATE's November 13 report, there were approximately 300 votes still being counted or verified.
IF HE WINS THE ELECTION, THE GOVERNOR WILL APPOINT A REPLACEMENT
According to California election law, if Giudici obtains a majority, he must be considered elected. However, because he died, he will not be able to take office himself.
In this case, the Governor of California will appoint a temporary administrator for the vacant seat. The appointed person will continue in office until a new election is held or his successor takes office.
Election results in Calaveras County are expected to be officially certified by December 3, 2026. Thus, the election race that continued after Bruce Giudici's death will also become official.