Calaveras County voters are still supporting Bruce Giudici, the late candidate for the Board of Supervisors District 5, who now leads the race with 56.99% of the vote, according to the latest county results.

Vote totals and remaining ballots

Giudici has received 1,982 votes, while his opponent Clyde Clapp has 1,496 votes, representing 43.01% of the total counted. The county reports that 322 ballots remain unprocessed and another 340 are marked as “left to cure,” meaning signatures either did not match the records on file or were missing.

Giudici’s tragic accident

On August 30, Giudici fell while door‑knocking on a steep driveway. A homeowner called 911, and Giudici died the following day. His campaign released a statement saying the decision to keep his name on the ballot was “very complicated” but driven by the belief that Giudici would have wanted to continue his mission to provide “honest, ethical, accountable leadership” for District 5.

Campaign’s appeal to voters

Volunteer Carrie Biggs‑Adams told reporters that the campaign asked supporters to vote for Giudici posthumously, emphasizing his dedication to Calaveras County. “We just really appreciate the people who trusted us that a good person would come forward and be a better alternative as their district five supervisor,” she said, adding that the campaign will work to ensure a qualified successor is selected.

What happens if Giudici wins?

California law requires the governor to appoint a replacement to fill any vacancy created by a winning candidate’s death until a successor is elected or qualified. The appointment process will begin if Giudici’s lead holds after all ballots are processed.

Community response

Local residents have expressed mixed feelings. Some admire Giudici’s commitment to the community and support the call to honor his legacy with a vote. Others note the practical challenges of electing a deceased candidate and the need for a clear plan to fill the seat promptly.

Next steps

The county will continue to process the remaining ballots over the coming weeks. Once all votes are counted, the final result will determine whether the governor must appoint a successor or if the race will be declared for the living opponent.

Both campaigns have thanked voters for their participation and urged the community to stay engaged in local governance, regardless of the outcome.

Original reporting: WLWT Cincinnati — read the source article.