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
Michigan Supreme Court – Mothering Justice v. Nessel Amicus Brief Filed
Briefs | Michigan Supreme Court
March 27, 2023
Brennan Center for Justice: “What’s at Stake in Wisconsin’s Supreme Court Election” by Dustin Brown
Our News | Brennan Center for Justice
March 21, 2023
Election-Litigation Data: 2018, 2020, 2022 State and Federal Court Filings
Research & Explainers | State Democracy Research Initiative
March 21, 2023
Redistricting Redux? How the 2023 Wisconsin Supreme Court election is reviving questions about the state’s gerrymandered maps
Featured, Explainers | State Democracy Research Initiative
February 13, 2023
Wisconsin’s 2023 state supreme court race has drawn attention in part because of its potential to reshape another branch of state government: the legislature.
Upcoming Events
Recent Events
Understanding Wisconsin’s Supreme Court Election
February 20, 2023Legal Interpretation in State Courts: Judicial Perspectives
November 29, 2022Election Matters 2022: Direct Democracy
October 28, 2022- 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.