When a candidate dies, the law now treats their campaign committee as intending to shut down, lets certain survivors act as treasurer to close it if the candidate was their own treasurer, and lets filing officers waive late-filing penalties for reports due after the death.
Official title: candidate committees; posthumous closure
- September 12, 2026
What changes
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NowOn a candidate's death, the candidate's campaign committee is treated as intending to terminate, so the rules for getting rid of leftover campaign money apply (such as returning it to contributors or donating it to a 501(c)(3) nonprofit).
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NowIf the deceased candidate was their own committee's treasurer and had not named an alternate treasurer, these people may act as treasurer to dispose of leftover money and close the committee, in this order: the personal representative or trustee if the candidate's will or trust provided for leftover campaign money; the surviving spouse; the next of kin; or someone appointed by a court.
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NowA person acting as treasurer this way must note on the termination statement that the candidate is deceased and give the filing officer documentation verifying the death.
BeforeCommittees that file reports late owe $10 per day for the first 15 days and $25 per day after that, with no waiver stated for a candidate's death.
NowOnce the committee complies with the termination statement rules, a filing officer may waive late-filing penalties for a candidate committee's reports that were due after the candidate's death.
Who it affects
- Families, spouses, next of kin, and estate representatives or trustees of candidates who die
- Candidate campaign committees
- Election filing officers
What you need to do
Nothing for most people. A survivor who acts as treasurer to close a deceased candidate's committee must note the death on the termination statement and give the filing officer documentation verifying the death.
What the law doesn't answer
- What kind of documentation of death the filing officer will accept
- How a court appointment of a treasurer is requested
- Whether the law applies to candidates who died before it took effect
- Whether penalties for reports due before the candidate's death can be waived
- What happens if no one in the priority list agrees to act as treasurer
This summary describes the law as enacted. Later laws, court rulings or referendum petitions can change the picture. Check the official text for the current wording.