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
Explainer: 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, 2025Explainer: The Proposed Voter ID Constitutional Amendment on Wisconsin’s April Ballot
Bryna Godar, Staff Attorney PDF Available Here Published: February 24, 2025 On Wisconsin’s April 1, 2025, spring election ballot, voters will see a proposed constitutional amendment asking whether to add a voter ID requirement to …
February 24, 2025We’re Hiring!
Featured | State Democracy Research Initiative
February 17, 2025
The State Democracy Research Initiative is looking to grow our terrific team and expand our multi-faceted, nonpartisan work. Please click the links below for details on the positions we're currently seeking to fill and information on how to apply.Explainer: North Carolina Supreme Court Election Protest
Emily Lau, Staff Attorney PDF Available Here Last Updated: February 21, 2025 More than a month after the November 2024 election, the result of the North Carolina Supreme Court race is still uncertain. There have …
December 20, 2024
Events
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Apr01
Local Perspectives: Mayors in American Governance @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm UW Law School
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May30
Public Law in the States: The Work of State Supreme Courts @ 9:00 am - 10:30 am
Recent 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.