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
White Paper: State Judicial Conduct Commissions—The Challenge of Judging Judges
Bryna Godar, Staff Attorney Published: July 10, 2024 Link to PDF Introduction This report analyzes an often-overlooked set of state entities that hold substantial power: judicial conduct commissions.[1] These entities, which exist in every state, …
July 10, 2024New York Court of Appeals – Stefanik v. Hochul Amicus Brief Filed
Stefanik v. Hochul – Amicus Brief, New York Court of Appeals On July 3, the State Democracy Research Initiative submitted an amicus brief in Stefanik v. Hochul, a case pending before New York’s highest court, …
July 8, 2024Wisconsin Supreme Court – Evers v. Marklein Amicus Brief Filed
Evers v. Marklein – Amicus Brief, Wisconsin Supreme Court On March 27, the State Democracy Research Initiative’s faculty co-directors Miriam Seifter and Rob Yablon filed an amicus brief along with six other legal scholars in …
March 28, 2024
Events
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Sep13
Election Matters 2024: AI in Elections @ 3:00 pm - 4:15 pm Wisconsin Idea Room, UW School of Education
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Sep27
Panel Discussion: The Right to Housing in State Constitutions @ 3:00 pm - 4:15 pm
Recent Events
Panel Discussion: State Constitutions and Climate Change
October 30, 2023- Events
Meet the Faculty Directors
Miriam Seifter, Faculty Co‑Director
Miriam Seifter is a Professor of Law and Rowe Faculty Fellow in Regulatory 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 an Associate 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.