DAVIDSON COUNTY, N.C. -- The days are counting down until the big election for Davidson County sheriff.

The race has been garnering attention because former Sheriff Gerald Hege is on the ballot.

Back in 2003, Hege plead guilty for obstruction of justice during an investigation into the department. The board found that since Hege had his record expunged, he was allowed to move forward. 

The incident has led to controversy recently as Hege has attempted to once again run for office.

Facing him are three other candidates; David S. Grice, Richie Simmons, and Greg Wood.

Grice, a lifelong resident of Davidson County, has held the office since 2004 and worked within law enforcement since 1971.

Simmons arrived in Davidson County back in 1991 and spent 24 years with the State Highway Patrol, before retiring in 2015. One of the biggest aspects of his platform is a push to a more modernized version of the office.

The final candidate is Wood, who began is law enforcement career back in 1979 and is seeking to implement a more proactive style of leadership. Other aspects of Wood's platform include establishing a new drug enforcement program and increasing recruitment efforts, in order to bring more qualified people to the agency.

For more information of when and where to go vote, be sure to visit www.ncsbe.gov.