Why is a county commissioner called judge?

Answer 1

In some U.S. states, county commissioners are referred to as "judges" due to historical practices where the title was used for local officials who had judicial responsibilities. This terminology dates back to when county judges had broader powers, including both administrative and judicial functions. Over time, as the roles evolved, the title "judge" remained, even if their primary responsibilities shifted more towards governance and administrative tasks. Thus, in certain regions, the term reflects tradition rather than an active judicial role.