I worked as an Election Official today

I started my work day as an Election Judge by taking the oath of office. We raised our right hand and swore to "uphold the Constitution of the United States and the State of Montana" and to faithfully discharge our duties. It sounds kind of schmaltzy but when I stand there and say those words it makes me realize how lucky I am to live in a democratic country where we actually get a say in choosing our representatives.

I became an Election Official (EO) a couple of years ago when I realized that ALL of the people who were EO's were beyond the age of, let's be polite, 70. Not enough "young people" do this.

I go to a two-hour training every two years. The job itself is easy - there are three positions:

1. "Hi, can I see your identification and have you sign in."
2. "Hi, here is your ballot. This is how you fill it out."
3. "Let me take your ballot and here is a sticker for voting."

I urge you to look at being an Election Official in your own town. For a couple of hours of vacation time from your job you can make democracy work.

And quite frankly, I always get a tear in my eye when I go to vote and remember how many people have died so that we can vote democratically.