The Midterms: What’s on the Ballot? County Sheriff

In the lead up to the midterm elections we’ll be taking some time to break down the key roles and responsibilities of the various offices voters will see on their ballot. This weekend we are featuring the county sheriff.

What does the County Sheriff do?

The county sheriff is the county's chief police officer. The sheriff manages the activities of the sheriff's deputies, who carry out most of the county's law enforcement duties. This includes running the county jail and making arrests of individuals accused of committing crimes. 

Why does this matter?

The person who is elected to serve as county sheriff has a lot of control over the policies and practices of the county’s law enforcement officers and county jails. These policies and practices set the tone for how crimes are investigated, how law enforcement interacts with the community, and even if eligible voters in county jails are able to access their right to vote. As an elected official, the county sheriff is held accountable by the voters.