Keepers of Our Republic

This Georgia Election Office Calls Itself the Chick-fil-A of Voting

In this episode of Keepers of Our Republic, former Georgia election official Tate Fall sits down with Rebecca England, Director of Elections in Greene County, Georgia, to talk about what it really takes to run elections at the local level, and why her office proudly calls itself the “Chick-fil-A of voting.” Rebecca shares her journey from teenage poll worker to county election director and reflects on more than two decades working in nearly every role in Georgia elections. The conversation explores voter education, transparency, poll worker recruitment, election audits, and why local election officials remain deeply committed to serving every voter, even during some of the most difficult years for election administration. They also discuss the importance of civic participation, why local elections matter, and what voters can do to become more informed and engaged before heading to the polls. --  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

Can Civics Education Save Democracy? Judges & Educators React

This week on Keepers of Our Republic, host Brooke Bergen speaks with civic educators, legal scholars, and former judges at the University of Washington School of Law. They chat about the growing civics education gap in the United States, and what it means for the future of democracy. Guests discuss declining public trust in government and the judiciary, why so many Americans misunderstand how courts actually work, and the long-term consequences of civic disengagement. From media literacy and youth apathy to judicial independence and the role of teachers, this episode explores how education can help rebuild trust in democratic institutions. Featuring conversations with: Corey Paulson, Head of Civics Education & Development at Teach with TVW Louise Dubé, CEO of iCivics Erwin Chemerinsky, Dean, UC Berkeley School of Law Judge Benes Aldana (Ret.), Former President & CEO, National Judicial College --  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

“The House Is on Fire”: Former Federal Judges Sound the Alarm

In this special episode of Keepers of Our Republic, host Brooke Bergen travels to the University of Washington School of Law for a judicial conference featuring some of the nation’s leading former federal judges, legal scholars, and attorneys. Through a series of conversations with retired federal judges from across the country, this episode explores growing threats to judicial independence, the erosion of public trust in the courts, and why the rule of law depends on an informed public. Guests discuss the rise in attacks against judges, misinformation about the judiciary, civic education, judicial security, and the responsibility lawyers and judges share in helping Americans better understand how the courts really work. Featuring conversations with: - Judge Thomas Griffith (Ret.), Former Judge, United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia - Judge Paul Grimm (Ret.), Former Judge, United States District Court for the District of Maryland - Judge Abdul Kallon (Ret.) Former Judge, United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama - Judge Bernice Donald (Ret.) Former Judge, United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit - Judge Nancy Gertner (Ret.) Former Judge, United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts -- 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  [https://keepourrepublic.org ]

Local Elections Matter: Lessons from a Georgia Elections Leader

In this episode, host Tate Fall sits down with Deidre Holden, longtime elections director in Paulding County, Georgia, for a conversation grounded in service, experience, and a deep commitment to voters. With nearly three decades in election administration, Deidre Holden from Paulding County, Georgia, shares how she got her start, why she’s stayed, and what continues to motivate her work. From maintaining accurate voter rolls to advocating for election officials at the state level, she offers a candid look at what it takes to run elections, while earning public trust, over the long haul.  They also discuss the importance of local elections, the real impact of misinformation, and why voters should always turn to their local election office for accurate information. At the center of it all: elections are about people, and the officials running them are dedicated to getting it right. --  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  [https://keepourrepublic.org ]

"Boring Elections" Are the Goal: A Conversation with Augusta, Georgia's 31-Year Elections Veteran

Cut through the partisan noise and find out how elections really work in your community, and around the country, straight from the election workers themselves.  In this episode, host Tate Fall sits down with Travis Doss, Executive Director of the Richmond County Board of Elections and a 31-year veteran of election administration in Georgia. Travis shares how he got his start in elections (spoiler: it wasn’t part of the plan), and what he’s learned after three decades on the job. From managing a large, diverse county to launching tools like voter wait time trackers, he offers a behind-the-scenes look at how local election offices serve voters every day. They also dig into voter education, the role of social media and local media in combating misinformation, and why checking your local election office is more important than ever. Plus, Travis explains how Georgia’s election officials work together through their state association to improve systems and advocate for voters statewide. -- 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  [https://keepourrepublic.org ]