California Code, Elections Code - ELEC § 8025

If a candidate who has declared a candidacy for a nomination at the direct primary election for a voter-nominated office dies after the last day prescribed for the delivery of nomination documents to the elections official, as provided in Section 8020, but not less than 83 days before the election, any person, regardless of his or her party preference or lack of party preference, may circulate and deliver nomination documents for the office to the elections official up to 5 p.m. on the 74th day prior to the election. In that case, the elections official shall, immediately after receipt of those nomination documents, certify and transmit them to the Secretary of State in the manner specified in this article.