 Starting with the 1992 election, the county has consistently backed Democratic Party presidential candidates, usually by wide margins aside from 2016 where Donald Trump only lost the county by 1.5% as he won statewide.The county government operates the jail, maintains rural roads, operates the
major local courts, keeps files of deeds and mortgages, maintains vital records, administers
public health regulations, and participates with the state in the provision of welfare and
other social services.The county board of commissioners controls the
budget but has only limited authority to make laws or ordinances.