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	"We haven't had any new election judges in our county for a long time. This will be the first year since I've been an elected official. Do the election judges need to take the constitutional oath just like elected officials?"

Are election judges considered public officers?

Yes, pursuant to Attorney General Opinion KP-0140 (2017). Practically, this means the judges (presiding and alternate) must take the constitutional oath of office under Article XVI, Section 1 of the Texas Constitution in front of an authority authorized to give the oath. Additionally, polling place officials must also complete the oath required under Election Code §62.003 before the polls open. For more information, see our updated publication Short Answers to Common Questions: Election Worker Issues.