candidate committees; posthumous closure

How committees close after a candidate dies

When a candidate dies, the committee is treated as planning to close. Its treasurer must file a sworn termination statement with the original filing officer. It must confirm that no more money will come in or go out; debts are gone or are at least five years old and creditors agree to discharge them; all surplus is disposed of and no cash remains; and all activity is reported. Surplus can be returned to donors, used for political contributions within legal limits, donated to a charity recognized under federal tax law, or moved to the candidate’s officeholder account for statewide and legislative committees, subject to limits. Transfers to another candidate committee are allowed only after the nomination-paper deadline, when the candidate did not file for the current election; legislative transfers must also happen outside regular session and stay within individual limits. Personal use of surplus is barred, but committee loans may be repaid. If the candidate was treasurer, a named alternate keeps the role; otherwise, a successor is chosen in order: an eligible personal representative or trustee, the surviving spouse, next of kin, or a court-appointed person. The successor must note the death on the termination statement and provide proof. The filing officer may reject an incomplete statement. After termination, the committee files no more reports and cannot receive or spend money without filing a new organization statement. Once the committee meets the closure rules, the filing officer may waive penalties for reports due after the candidate’s death.