Beaufort County, South Carolina

Beaufort County Sheriff

2 candidates are tracked for Beaufort County Sheriff on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Doug Seifert and Alphonso Small Jr. Candidate information follows official Beaufort County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Doug Seifert (Republican), Alphonso Small Jr (Democratic) meet on the November 3 ballot for Beaufort County Sheriff, per the SC Election Commission's Candidate Tracking System (filing location Beaufort County). Doug Seifert won the June 9 Republican primary with 57.8 percent over JoJo Woodward (42.2 percent). Results per the county's official Clarity results feed (enr-scvotes.org).

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 Beaufort County votes on this seat.

South Carolina › Beaufort County › Beaufort County Sheriff

Doug Seifert

Republican

Top priorities

Wants a dedicated team for community engagement, including town halls and youth programs
Focuses on deputy recruitment and retention through competitive pay
Plans targeted enforcement combined with community trust-building to reduce violent crime

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Doug Seifert has spent 20 years with the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office, rising to lieutenant of its Southern Enforcement Branch, per his campaign site. He previously served as a town councilman in North Bend, Ohio, and is running for sheriff with the outgoing sheriff's endorsement. Doug Seifert appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Beaufort County Sheriff, per the county elections office's certified candidate list.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Alphonso Small Jr

Democratic

Biography

Alphonso Small Jr. currently serves on the Beaufort County School Board representing District 6, per the district's board roster, and has 13 years of law enforcement experience, per The Island News. Alphonso Small Jr appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Beaufort County Sheriff, per the county elections office's certified candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.

Next on your ballotBeaufort County Probate Judge

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Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for Beaufort County Sheriff in 2026?

When is the Beaufort County Sheriff election in South Carolina?

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

How do I see my exact Beaufort 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 Beaufort County and state election office filings, last verified September 27, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

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

The rest of your Beaufort County ballot

28 tracked races in Beaufort County, South Carolina. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot

Beaufort County Auditor Beaufort County Treasurer Beaufort County Council, District 2 See all 28 Beaufort County races

Candidate profiles

Doug Seifert, full profile Alphonso Small Jr, full profile Official South Carolina election office