India, Nov. 14 -- A deceased candidate in Northern California is on course to win a seat on the Calaveras County Board of Supervisors, potentially creating an unusual situation in which the state's incoming governor will have to appoint someone to fill the position.

Bruce Giudici, who died in August while campaigning, was leading the race for the District 5 supervisor seat by nearly 500 votes in the county's latest unofficial election results.

According to the latest figures, Giudici received 2,002 votes, representing 57.1% of the total, while his opponent, former Supervisor Clyde Clapp, secured 1,505 votes, or 42.9%. Giudici held a lead of 497 votes.

Although the results are not yet final, the remaining ballots are unlikely to change ...