Mission & Vision
The State Democracy Research Initiative seeks to advance research and dialogue on state-level democracy, government institutions, and public law across the nation. By focusing on the states, which traditionally receive less attention than the federal government in legal circles, the Initiative serves as a much-needed resource for academics, courts, policymakers, advocates, and the public.
Featured Updates
Beat Academy: The States, Trump and Democracy (Ft. Professors Miriam Seifter and Rob Yablon)
On September 18th, 2025, SDRI co-directors Miriam Seifter and Rob Yablon spoke as panelists on a webinar hosted by Beat Academy. The panel discussed key laws governing federal vs. state powers, the changing scope of …
October 9, 2025Explainer: Can States Prohibit Federal Law Enforcement from Masking on the Job?
Bridget Lavender, Staff Attorney PDF Available Here Published: October 3, 2025 Introduction As the federal government ramps up immigration enforcement under President Trump’s second administration, federal agents sometimes conduct operations while wearing masks or other …
October 3, 2025Call for Papers: Scholarship Roundtable on State and Local Governance: Agencies, Institutions, and Infrastructure
September 3, 2025 The University of Wisconsin Law School’s State Democracy Research Initiative (SDRI) is pleased to announce a Roundtable on State and Local Governance: Agencies, Institutions, and Infrastructure, to be held on Friday, April …
September 3, 2025Exploring State Checks Against Federal Overreach
Published: August 8, 2025 Updated: October 6, 2025 States have many tools to help counter federal abuses of power. Facing a torrent of controversial federal government actions, states today are pursuing or considering an array …
August 8, 2025
Events
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Oct30
Panel Discussion: Judging in State Appellate Courts @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Recent Events
Panel Discussion: Education Rights and State Constitutions
September 16, 2025- Events
Meet the Faculty Directors
Miriam Seifter, Faculty Co‑Director
Miriam Seifter is the Richard E. Johnson Bascom Professor of Law at the University of Wisconsin Law School. Her recent work examines state constitutional and administrative law, with a focus on challenges facing democracy at the state level. She teaches state and local government law, administrative law, and property law and is a co-founder of the State and Local Government Law Blog.
For more, see Miriam’s full bio and her publications, or follow Miriam on Twitter: @MiriamSeifter.
Robert Yablon, Faculty Co‑Director
Robert Yablon is a Professor of Law at the University of Wisconsin Law School. His recent work explores questions in political and election law, with attention to redistricting and campaign finance. He teaches civil procedure, federal jurisdiction, and the law of democracy and is an affiliate of the Elections Research Center.
For more, see Robert’s full bio and his publications, or follow Robert on Twitter: @RobYablon.