How would you make a reasonable expectation that a person in an elected position whose term expires this year will have income for the next 3 years?

Thank you in advance for your help!

Would they not be returning to their former profession? Wouldn't that fall under the "extended absence from work rule"? OR will they be retiring and you can document their retirement income?

If they have investments, that income can be counted. If they are a member of congress, their assets are normally put into a blind trust. If they lose election, that trust would now be used as income.
There are a lot of questions left in your original post.
What elected position? national, state, or local.
How many years served? Does it provide a retirement after defeat or retirement?

I'm not sure if they would return to former profession. I'm assuming they are not likely looking to retire. My concern was that the intent may be to keep the office, but that they may not be re-elected?

hgliii - to clarify it is a State Senator who has been in office a number of years. I don't know about the retirement offering, but you have brought up good points and provided some direction to head in. Thank you again.

Usually, politician that have been in office for a while make money outside the office. In TN the state legislature does not pay a good wage, since it is in session only about 120 days a year. I think, and probably should know, that they make under $20,000 a year.