Keepers of Our Republic

Keep Our Republic
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Politics
  • Updated Weekly

Keepers of the Republic is a new podcast from Keep Our Republic that takes listeners inside the institutions at the heart of American democracy. Through thoughtful conversations with election officials, county clerks, legal experts, and retired federal judges, we explore how elections are really run, separate fact from fiction, and highlight why an independent judiciary is essential to a strong republic.  At a time of uncertainty and misinformation, Keepers of the Republic provides trusted, nonpartisan insights into how our democracy works—and how, together, we can keep it strong.

  1. Sep 3

    “It Takes All of Us” How Asheville's Elections Director Weathered Helene

    What happens when a major disaster strikes just weeks before an election?  In this episode of Keepers of Our Republic, host Tate Fall sits down with Corinne Duncan, Election Services Director for Buncombe County, North Carolina, to discuss what it takes to run elections in the face of unexpected challenges. Corinne shares how her team navigated the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which devastated Asheville and Buncombe County just weeks before the 2024 election, from losing power and communications to adapting early voting and relying on relationships with emergency management, fire departments, law enforcement, and other county partners Welcome back to Keepers of our Republic, a new weekly podcast from Keep Our Republic that takes listeners inside the institutions at the heart of American democracy.  Every week, Keepers of Our Republic features thoughtful conversations with election administrators and retired federal judges. We explore how elections are really run, discuss why an independent judiciary is essential to a strong republic, and separate fact from fiction in a fast-changing world.  Learn more about Keep Our Republic, a nonpartisan nonprofit, at our website, https://keepourrepublic.org Follow Us on Social Media: X https://x.com/keep_republic Facebook https://www.facebook.com/KeepOurRepublicAction/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/keepourrepublic/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/keepourrepublic/

  2. Aug 27

    “We Don’t Just Turn It On and Hope for the Best”: Election Security & Trust in Union County, NC

    In this episode of Keepers of Our Republic, host Tate Fall sits down with Philip Hinson, Deputy Director of Elections for Union County, North Carolina, for a behind-the-scenes look at what it actually takes to run a secure election. From testing voting equipment and protecting election infrastructure to responding when the power goes out at a polling place, Philip explains the layers of preparation, security, and oversight that voters may never see. He also breaks down how logic and accuracy testing, bipartisan review, post-election audits, chain-of-custody procedures, and physical security work together to protect the election process. Philip also shares how Union County uses ballot-on-demand technology to make sure voters receive the correct ballot—and how seemingly small security features can add another layer of protection. At the heart of the conversation is a simple message: elections don't just happen. They take planning, testing, transparency, and thousands of people working together to make sure voters can have confidence that their ballots are counted as intended. Welcome back to Keepers of our Republic, a new weekly podcast from Keep Our Republic that takes listeners inside the institutions at the heart of American democracy.  Every week, Keepers of Our Republic features thoughtful conversations with election administrators and retired federal judges. We explore how elections are really run, discuss why an independent judiciary is essential to a strong republic, and separate fact from fiction in a fast-changing world.  Learn more about Keep Our Republic, a nonpartisan nonprofit, at our website, https://keepourrepublic.org Follow Us on Social Media: X https://x.com/keep_republic Facebook https://www.facebook.com/KeepOurRepublicAction/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/keepourrepublic/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/keepourrepublic/

  3. Aug 20

    Should Judges Be Elected? A Conversation with Former Texas Chief Justice Phillips

    Most Americans are familiar with the U.S. Supreme Court—but far fewer understand how state courts operate or why many states elect their judges. This week, attorney Brooke Bergen sits down with Tom Phillips, retired Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Texas, for a conversation about the unique role state courts play in our constitutional system. Judge Phillips explains how judges interpret the law, the differences between state and federal courts, and the advantages and challenges of electing judges. The conversation also explores how campaign spending can affect public confidence in the judiciary, why courts are increasingly being asked to resolve issues left to the political branches, and how judges can help strengthen public understanding of the rule of law. Welcome back to Keepers of our Republic, a new weekly podcast from Keep Our Republic that takes listeners inside the institutions at the heart of American democracy.  Every week, Keepers of Our Republic features thoughtful conversations with election administrators and retired federal judges. We explore how elections are really run, discuss why an independent judiciary is essential to a strong republic, and separate fact from fiction in a fast-changing world.  Learn more about Keep Our Republic, a nonpartisan nonprofit, at our website, https://keepourrepublic.org Follow Us on Social Media: X https://x.com/keep_republic Facebook https://www.facebook.com/KeepOurRepublicAction/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/keepourrepublic/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/keepourrepublic/

  4. Aug 13

    How America's Largest Election Offices Build Trust

    What does it take to administer elections for more than 858,000 registered voters? This week, host Tate Fall sits down with Olivia McCall, Director of Elections for Wake County, North Carolina, to discuss the logistics, leadership, and transparency required to oversee one of the largest election operations in the state. Olivia shares how she found her career in election administration, what it takes to prepare hundreds of polling places and thousands of election workers, and why public outreach is just as important as election-day operations. She also discusses Wake County's award-winning media partnership program, which helps reporters accurately communicate election procedures before misinformation can take hold. From staffing and voter education to planning for rapid population growth, this conversation offers an inside look at the people and processes that make elections work. At Keep Our Republic, we believe that strengthening trust in elections starts with helping people understand how they work. Through conversations with election officials, judges, and civic leaders, Keepers of Our Republic highlights the dedicated public servants who make our democracy possible. Welcome back to Keepers of our Republic, a new weekly podcast from Keep Our Republic that takes listeners inside the institutions at the heart of American democracy.  Every week, Keepers of Our Republic features thoughtful conversations with election administrators and retired federal judges. We explore how elections are really run, discuss why an independent judiciary is essential to a strong republic, and separate fact from fiction in a fast-changing world.  Learn more about Keep Our Republic, a nonpartisan nonprofit, at our website, https://keepourrepublic.org Follow Us on Social Media: X https://x.com/keep_republic Facebook https://www.facebook.com/KeepOurRepublicAction/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/keepourrepublic/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/keepourrepublic/

  5. Aug 6

    How The Real-Life Mayberry Runs Bipartisan Elections

    In this episode of Keepers of Our Republic, host and former election official Tate Fall sits down with Sydney Romine, Director of Elections for Surry County, North Carolina, to explore how bipartisan election administration works on the ground. Sydney takes listeners inside North Carolina’s election system, where Republicans and Democrats work side-by-side throughout the process—from local precincts to bipartisan teams that help voters in nursing homes access the ballot. She also shares how her background in marketing has shaped her approach to voter education, poll worker training, social media, and making election processes more transparent and accessible. Tate and Sydney also discuss the human side of elections, including the story of a 103-year-old voter whose mother voted in the first election after women gained the right to vote. At the heart of their conversation is a simple message: elections work best when voters understand the process, know where to find trusted information, and make a plan to participate. Welcome back to Keepers of our Republic, a new weekly podcast from Keep Our Republic that takes listeners inside the institutions at the heart of American democracy.  Every week, Keepers of Our Republic features thoughtful conversations with election administrators and retired federal judges. We explore how elections are really run, discuss why an independent judiciary is essential to a strong republic, and separate fact from fiction in a fast-changing world.  Learn more about Keep Our Republic, a nonpartisan nonprofit, at our website, https://keepourrepublic.org Follow Us on Social Media: X https://x.com/keep_republic Facebook https://www.facebook.com/KeepOurRepublicAction/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/keepourrepublic/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/keepourrepublic/

  6. Jul 30

    "You Have to Care": Building the Next Generation of Election Officials

    Where will the next generation of election officials come from? And what does it take to build a career running America's elections?  In this episode of Keepers of Our Republic, host and former Georgia elections official Tate Fall sits down with Tim Tsujii, Elections Director for Forsyth County, North Carolina, to talk about the growing professionalization of election administration and the people who dedicate their careers to making our elections work. Drawing on more than two decades in the field, Tim shares how election administration has evolved from a little-known corner of local government into a profession with specialized training, certifications, and even graduate-level programs. He and Tate also discuss internships as a pathway into election work, the skills that make a successful election administrator, and why Tim believes hiring the right people isn't just about what's on a résumé. At the heart of their conversation is a simple idea: running elections is about serving people. From supporting the poll workers on the front lines to building teams rooted in integrity, consistency, and trust, Tim explains why caring for the people who run our elections ultimately creates a better experience for the voters they serve. Welcome back to Keepers of our Republic, a new weekly podcast from Keep Our Republic that takes listeners inside the institutions at the heart of American democracy.  Every week, Keepers of Our Republic features thoughtful conversations with election administrators and retired federal judges. We explore how elections are really run, discuss why an independent judiciary is essential to a strong republic, and separate fact from fiction in a fast-changing world.  Learn more about Keep Our Republic, a nonpartisan nonprofit, at our website, https://keepourrepublic.org Follow Us on Social Media: X https://x.com/keep_republic Facebook https://www.facebook.com/KeepOurRepublicAction/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/keepourrepublic/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/keepourrepublic/

  7. Jul 23

    Hawaiʻi's Former Chief Justice on Defending the Rule of Law

    This week on Keepers of Our Republic, host Brooke Bergen sits down with former Hawaiʻi Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald for a wide-ranging conversation about judicial independence, accountability, and the unique role of state courts in American democracy. Justice Recktenwald takes us inside Hawaiʻi's distinctive merit-based system for selecting judges and explains how Native Hawaiian history, culture, and traditional law continue to shape the state's legal system today. He also discusses a developing fight over who has the authority to discipline federal prosecutors—and why state oversight of attorney ethics remains an important check on government power. The conversation also explores growing threats against judges, declining trust in the courts, attacks on the legal profession, and a difficult question facing the judiciary today: When the rule of law itself is being challenged, should sitting judges have greater freedom to speak out? Justice Recktenwald also shares why he joined the Alliance of Former Chief Justices and how retired judges can use their voices to defend judicial independence while remaining committed to nonpartisanship. Welcome back to Keepers of our Republic, a new weekly podcast from Keep Our Republic that takes listeners inside the institutions at the heart of American democracy.  Every week, Keepers of Our Republic features thoughtful conversations with election administrators and retired federal judges. We explore how elections are really run, discuss why an independent judiciary is essential to a strong republic, and separate fact from fiction in a fast-changing world.  Learn more about Keep Our Republic, a nonpartisan nonprofit, at our website, https://keepourrepublic.org Follow Us on Social Media: X https://x.com/keep_republic Facebook https://www.facebook.com/KeepOurRepublicAction/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/keepourrepublic/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/keepourrepublic/

  8. Jul 16

    Running an Election Is Like Planning the Super Bowl: Highs & Lows of Elections in GA

    What does it actually take to run an election? And what happens when election officials are asked to do more without the time, staff, or funding to do it? In this episode of Keepers of Our Republic, host and former Georgia elections official Tate Fall sits down with Milton Kidd, Director of Elections and Voter Registration for Douglas County, Georgia, to talk about the enormous logistical operation behind every election. Milton shares why running an election can feel like planning the Super Bowl, the real-world consequences of constantly changing election laws, and why lawmakers need to listen to the professionals tasked with implementing them. He also opens up about facing threats and racial harassment as an election official, and why, despite it all, he continues to show up. His message to lawmakers: If we say we value secure, well-run elections, we need to fund them accordingly. And his message to voters? Extend a little grace, pack your patience, and remember that the people running your elections are your neighbors. Welcome back to Keepers of our Republic, a new weekly podcast from Keep Our Republic that takes listeners inside the institutions at the heart of American democracy.  Every week, Keepers of Our Republic features thoughtful conversations with election administrators and retired federal judges. We explore how elections are really run, discuss why an independent judiciary is essential to a strong republic, and separate fact from fiction in a fast-changing world.  Learn more about Keep Our Republic, a nonpartisan nonprofit, at our website, https://keepourrepublic.org Follow Us on Social Media: X https://x.com/keep_republic Facebook https://www.facebook.com/KeepOurRepublicAction/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/keepourrepublic/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/keepourrepublic/

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Keepers of the Republic is a new podcast from Keep Our Republic that takes listeners inside the institutions at the heart of American democracy. Through thoughtful conversations with election officials, county clerks, legal experts, and retired federal judges, we explore how elections are really run, separate fact from fiction, and highlight why an independent judiciary is essential to a strong republic.  At a time of uncertainty and misinformation, Keepers of the Republic provides trusted, nonpartisan insights into how our democracy works—and how, together, we can keep it strong.

Information

  • Creator
    Keep Our Republic
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    46
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Keepers of Our Republic
  • Show Website
    Keepers of Our Republic

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