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"May I ask, what is an election judge? What exactly do you do?"

We run the election at the polling place level. That involves getting the polling place set up, qualifying the voters, assisting those that need assistance, ensuring that no electioneering is occurring within the polling place (in Texas defined as the building in which the polling place is located and within 100 feet from every exit), and generally maintain order at the polling place.

At the end of the evening, it is my responsibility to get the ballots to the county courthouse (which, in my case is on the opposite end of the County). I am in League City, on the county line, and the Courthouse is in Galveston.

I have an assistant judge (in Texas, from the opposite party) and six clerks (it is a big precinct) -- split evenly between the two main parties) to help me, but I am running the show, and I hold the responsibility. For one day, election day, I rank as a district court judge.

Why do I do it? Well, someone has to. I am too old to serve in the military (if I am ever called on to defend my country, we are in dire straits), so this is one way I can pay back the debt I have racked up as a citizen of the United States.