The Ballot Brief
Dorchester County, South Carolina

Dorchester County Council, District 3

2 candidates are tracked for Dorchester County Council, District 3 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Jessica Bright and Rita May. Candidate information follows official Dorchester County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Jessica Bright (Democratic), Rita May (Republican) meet on the November 3 ballot for Dorchester County Council, District 3, per the SC Election Commission's Candidate Tracking System (filing location Dorchester County). No contested June 9 primary was recorded for this office in the county's official results feed.

What this office does

County commissioner. The county board is the county's legislative and, in most states, executive body. Commissioners adopt the county budget and property tax rate, oversee roads, the jail, public health, planning and zoning in unincorporated areas, and appoint or confirm department heads. In counties with an elected county executive or judge, the board's role is mainly the budget and ordinances.

This race. The sitting officeholder, Rita May, is on the ballot.

South Carolina › Dorchester County › Dorchester County Council, District 3

Jessica Bright

Democratic

Top priorities
  • Bringing healthcare technology access to underserved parts of the district
  • Public-private workforce partnerships so local graduates can enter local jobs
  • Ensuring data center costs are borne by operators, not taxpayers

Per the Dorchester County Democrats.

Biography

Jessica Bright served as Executive Director of Emerge South Carolina from 2021 to 2024, an organization that trains Democratic women for political office, per the Dorchester County Democrats. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Science from Clemson University and a graduate degree in Health Informatics from the Medical University of South Carolina. Jessica Bright appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Dorchester County Council, District 3, per the county elections office's certified candidate list.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Rita May

Republican Incumbent

Top priorities
  • Fiscal responsibility in the use of tax and referendum funds
  • Developer impact fees and comprehensive development agreements
  • Expanding senior services and veterans' healthcare access in St. George

Per the Post and Courier.

Biography

Rita May, also known as Rita May Ranck, is a registered nurse who owns Good Faith Caregivers, a business providing non-medical senior care services, per the Post and Courier. She has represented Dorchester County Council District 3 since January 2023 and was a founding member of the county's Parks and Recreation Commission. Rita May appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Dorchester County Council, District 3, per the county elections office's certified candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.

Next on your ballotDorchester County Council, District 7

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Questions about this race

Who is running for Dorchester County Council, District 3 in 2026?

2 candidates are tracked for Dorchester County Council, District 3 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Jessica Bright and Rita May. Candidate information follows official Dorchester County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the Dorchester County Council, District 3 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 Dorchester 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 Dorchester 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 Dorchester County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Dorchester County ballot

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

Also on your ballot
Dorchester County Soil and Water District CommissionDorchester County School Board, District 22Dorchester County School Board, District 24See all 18 Dorchester County races
Candidate profiles
Jessica Bright, full profileRita May, full profileOfficial South Carolina election office