The Ballot Brief
Orange County, North Carolina

Orange County Sheriff

One candidate is tracked for Orange County Sheriff on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Charles Blackwood. Candidate information follows official Orange County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Incumbent Sheriff Charles Blackwood, first elected in 2014, is unopposed on the November 3, 2026 ballot.

What this office does

Sheriff. The sheriff runs the county's law enforcement agency, operates the county jail, provides courthouse security and serves court papers such as warrants, subpoenas and evictions. In many counties the sheriff's office is the primary police force for areas outside city limits. The sheriff hires deputies and manages the office's budget within what the county board approves.

This race. Every voter in Orange County votes on this seat. One name is on the ballot for this seat.

North Carolina › Orange County › Orange County Sheriff

Charles Blackwood

Democratic

Top priorities
  • Expanding mental health and substance abuse services
  • Responding to the opioid epidemic through innovative programs
  • Pursuing bail and bond reform alongside school safety initiatives

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Blackwood served 45 years with the Orange County Sheriff's Office, beginning in December 1980 and rising through the ranks to major of operations before retiring in December 2012 to run for sheriff, per the campaign site. He was elected the 47th Sheriff of Orange County and has since held multiple state-level leadership appointments, per the campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)
Next on your ballotDistrict Attorney, District 18

See your full ballot

Your address is only used to match your districts.

Voting info and more

Voting info and more
Questions about this race

Who is running for Orange County Sheriff in 2026?

One candidate is tracked for Orange County Sheriff on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Charles Blackwood. Candidate information follows official Orange County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the Orange County Sheriff election in North Carolina?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for North Carolina are on the North Carolina election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Orange County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Orange County and state election office filings, last verified September 29, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official North Carolina election office, or see the full Orange County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Orange County ballot

12 tracked races in Orange County, North Carolina. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot
Orange Soil and Water Conservation District SupervisorNorth Carolina Senate District 23North Carolina House District 50See all 12 Orange County races
Candidate profiles
Charles Blackwood, full profileOfficial North Carolina election office