Deceased Candidate Lance White Gets 37,000 Votes
Reno family law attorney White, who died in August, still drew tens of thousands of ballots in the Washoe District Court family judge race.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Elections
Lance White, a Reno family law attorney running for a family court judge seat in Washoe District Court, received more than 37,000 votes on Election Day despite dying on August 21, 2026, after ballots were printed. His opponent, Alexander Morey, held about 70% of the vote with 88,000 votes as of November 5, and the race has not been finalized.
Why it matters
Because the race is nonpartisan, a vacancy caused by White's death would be filled through a special election under Nevada law. The outcome raises questions about how votes for deceased candidates are handled in Nevada elections.
Unofficial tallies show White with over 37,000 votes against Morey's 88,000 as of November 5, 2026. Final certification depends on mail-in ballots received through Saturday at 5 p.m., and the outcome for the vacancy has not been determined.
The players
Lance White
Lance White was a Reno family law attorney who died at age 55 while seeking a family court judgeship.
Alexander Morey
Alexander Morey is the candidate who led White's opponent race for the Washoe District Court family judge seat with about 70% of the vote.
The details
Polling centers posted notices informing voters of White's death, which occurred after ballots had already been printed. White was seeking a family court judgeship for the third time, and the race is nonpartisan.
Timeline
August 21, 2026: Lance White dies after ballots are printed.
November 3, 2026: Election Day, when White receives over 37,000 votes.
November 5, 2026: Morey holds 70% of the vote; race not finalized.
Saturday after Election Day: Deadline for mail-in ballots to be received.
Legal Context
Nevada previously saw a posthumous victory in 2018, when Dennis Hof won an Assembly seat with 68% of the vote three weeks after dying. The White race differs because its nonpartisan status means a special election, rather than a party appointment, would determine the seat.
Voters in the Washoe District Court race cast ballots for a candidate who had died, and their votes will count toward the outcome. A special election would fill the vacancy if White's death leaves the seat open under Nevada law.
The takeaway
Voters should check how votes for deceased candidates are handled in their jurisdiction, since Nevada's nonpartisan rules differ from partisan races. Confirm final results through official county election updates once mail-in ballots are counted.
What happens next
Mail-in ballots postmarked on or before Election Day and received by 5 p.m. Saturday will be counted, which will finalize the vote totals.
Further reading
For context on how Nevada handles ballot counting and results, see Elections coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Reno Gazette Journal.
