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
We’re Hiring!
📣 UW Law School’s State Democracy Research Initiative is hiring! We’re searching for a program coordinator to support SDRI in all aspects of its work, from events to communications and research support. Apply here: https://go.wisc.edu/6p0b3n
April 15, 2025Pennsylvania Supreme Court – Baxter v. Philadelphia Board of Elections Amicus Brief Filed
PDF Available Here On March 28, the State Democracy Research Initiative’s faculty co-directors Miriam Seifter and Rob Yablon filed an amicus brief with five other legal scholars in Baxter v. Philadelphia Board of Elections, a …
March 31, 2025Explainer: Wisconsin Supreme Court Set to Consider Fate of “Mini Legislature”
Derek Clinger, Senior Staff Attorney PDF Available Here Published: March 25, 2025 In recent decades, the Wisconsin Legislature has increasingly empowered legislative committees, rather than its full membership, to wield control over state agencies and …
March 25, 2025Explainer: Wisconsin Supreme Court Race
Bryna Godar, Staff Attorney Bree Grossi Wilde, Executive Director PDF Available Here Published: March 12, 2025 Updated: March 14, 2025 On April 1, 2025, Wisconsin voters will choose the newest justice on the Wisconsin Supreme …
March 12, 2025
Events
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May30
Public Law in the States: The Work of State Supreme Courts @ 9:00 am - 10:30 am
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Jul10
Election Matters 2025 | Year in Review: Democracy Litigation in SCOTUS and the States @ 3:00 pm Madison Public Library Community Room
Recent Events
Local Perspectives: Mayors in American Governance
April 8, 2025Understanding Judicial Ethics Enforcement
November 21, 2024- 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.