Richland County Auditor Choose 1
Election Information:The Statewide Democratic and Republican Primary Elections will be held Tuesday, June 9, 2026. You may vote in either the Republican or the Democratic primary. Your address indicates you live in the district for this race.EARLY VOTING: If you prefer to vote prior to June 9, 2026, you can vote during a two-week early voting period Tuesday, May 26 through Friday, June 5. Early voting centers are open Monday to Friday, excluding holidays, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Check the Richland County Voter Registration and Elections website Early and Absentee Voting | Richland County SC or SCVOTES.gov for early voting locations.ABSENTEE VOTING: You may be eligible to vote absentee by mail. For details on eligibility and how to submit your request, see this SC Election Commission Voting Absentee page: https://www.scvotes.gov/absentee-voting.Position Description:The auditor serves a 4-year term and manages the county’s records of real and personal property, records the sales and conveyances of real property, calculates the individual property taxes to be paid each year, and prepares the official tax book listing the owners of taxable property and the value of the property.
Biographical Information
Campaign Address
PO Box 1155
Columbia, SC 29202
Columbia, SC 29202
Campaign Email
abrownforauditor@gmail.com
Campaign Website
http://www.abrownforauditor.com
Education
University of South Carolina Graduate in Accounting
Qualifications
Allen Brown foundation in leadership derives from serving 11 years with the US Marines. Allen has 28+ years of Financial Experience, to include nearly 10 years of Richland County Auditor's Office experience. Allen is a Deputy Auditor with Richland County Auditor's Office, currently serving the citizens of Richland County.
1. What motivated you to run for public office?
I'm running to be the next Richland County Auditor because I'm committed to helping people. The Auditor's Office plays a critical role as the Property Tax Billing Authority for all of Richland County. One of the most impactful ways we can serve residents is by educating and advising them on the various opportunities available to reduce their property tax liability-helping to ease the financial burden on families across our communities. As Deputy Auditor, I'm working daily to serve the citizens of Richland County in this manner and more.
2. How would you support transparency in the work of the auditor's office?
I will support transparency by ensuring that all millage rates are clearly published and accompanied by user friendly guides to help citizens easily locate their applicable rate and understand how it is calculated. I will also provide a listing of all exemptions that impact tax bills, helping residents take advantage of relief opportunities. In addition, I will continue to train staff to communicate with ease year over year increases to tax bills. Transparency is not simply about making information available. It requires consistent and clear communication. In many cases, a lack of transparency is simply a lack of communication, and I intend to close that gap.
Biographical Information
Campaign Address
PO Box 290381
Columbia, SC 29229
Columbia, SC 29229
Campaign Phone
8037886672
Campaign Email
stacey@hammforauditor.com
Campaign Website
http://HammforAuditor.com
Education
Bachelor Degree in Accounting University of South Carolina and Master's Degree in Accounting University of South Carolina
Qualifications
Stacey Hamm has served Richland County for more than 31 years, including 22 years as Deputy Treasurer and, since 2017, as Richland County Finance Director. She is a Certified Government Financial Officer and former President of the Government Finance Officers Association of South Carolina. Her experience includes public finance, budgeting, financial reporting, tax collections, system modernization, audits, compliance, and countywide financial operations.
1. What motivated you to run for public office?
I am running because the Auditor’s Office touches every taxpayer in Richland County, and it must be accurate, understandable, and modern. I have spent more than 31 years serving Richland County, including 22 years as Deputy Treasurer and eight years as Finance Director. I have worked directly with the Auditor’s Office on tax notices, corrections, appeals, reconciliations, audits, and financial reporting. This office is not new to me. I know the people, the systems, the workflow, and where improvements are needed. I am running to bring proven financial leadership, accuracy, and common-sense modernization to an office that affects every home, car, and business in the county.
2. How would you support transparency in the work of the auditor's office?
I would support transparency by making tax information easier for residents to understand and access. The Auditor’s Office calculates tax bills using property values, millage, exemptions, credits, and other factors, but most taxpayers do not see how those pieces fit together. I would work to redesign the tax bill in plain language, modernize office systems, and create better online tools so residents can understand current charges, see how taxes are calculated, and find information about exemptions and credits. Transparency means taxpayers should not have to guess why they owe what they owe.