Mission & Vision
The State Democracy Research Initiative’s mission is to foster academic research on state-level democracy, government institutions, and public law across the nation. The Initiative aims to shine a spotlight on the states, which traditionally receive less attention than the federal government in legal scholarship and education, and to serve as a resource for academics, policymakers, and advocates across the country.
Featured Updates
Robert Yablon and Other Legal Scholars File Amicus Curiae Brief in Wisconsin Redistricting Case
Featured | Wisconsin Supreme Court
January 4, 2022
Robert Yablon and seven other legal scholars submitted an amicus curiae brief in the Wisconsin redistricting case of Johnson v. Wisconsin Elections Commission, calling for the court to reject all party-submitted maps and produce their own more neutral plans with the help of a nonpartisan expert, or to let a federal court act.Rob Yablon Publishes Op-Ed: “Wisconsin Supreme Court is wrong to preserve gerrymandered electoral maps”
In the Media, Featured | Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
December 20, 2021
"The Wisconsin Supreme Court has set the stage for another decade of gerrymandered electoral maps."Wisconsin Law Review Special Issue: “Public Law in the States”
Featured | Wisconsin Law Review
November 21, 2021
Special Issue: Public Law in the StatesRedistricting and Gerrymandering 2021: Taking Stock and Looking Ahead
Event, Featured
November 19, 2021
On November 19, 2021, the State Democracy Research Initiative co-hosted a discussion on redistricting with the Elections Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Upcoming Events
Interpretation in the States Conference
Recent Events
Kickoff Event Featuring State Solicitors General
October 26, 2021Public Law in The States Conference
August 12, 2021- Events
Meet the Faculty Directors
Miriam Seifter, Faculty Co‑Director
Miriam Seifter is an Associate 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.