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In the Media

In the Media

Dallas Express: USPS Proposes New Mail-In Ballot Rules

Derek Clinger 06.10.26

"The U.S. Postal Service has recently proposed new rules for mailing absentee and mail-in ballots in federal elections, requiring states to provide voter eligibility lists and unique barcodes to ensure ballots are sent only to approved recipients."

In the Media

WPR: US Postal Service proposes big changes for mail-in voting, including list of eligible users

Derek Clinger 06.03.26

"The U.S. Postal Service introduced a proposed rule Tuesday that would “apply uniform standards for the mailing of absentee ballots to and from voters.” Those include new requirements for the envelopes state and local election officials use to mail ballots and a “Mail-In and Absentee Participation List” that’s never been used before."

In the Media

PBS Wisconsin: Bryna Godar on a lawsuit over immigration holds in Wisconsin

Bryna Godar 06.01.26

"University of Wisconsin Law School State Democracy Research Initiative attorney Bryna Godar explains a lawsuit against five county sheriffs in the state over the legal status of 48-hour ICE detainers."

In the Media

Wisconsin Watch: Wisconsin Supreme Court revisits recusal rules amid debate over money and impartiality

Derek Clinger 06.01.26

"The Wisconsin Supreme Court is scheduled to hear from members of the public this week on a request to require judges to recuse themselves if past donations to or support of their judicial campaign could affect their impartiality in a case."

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MS Now: What happens if federal agents trample YOUR rights?

"Over the course of months, from coast to coast, MS Now searched for answers and it became more clear that US Citizens don’t have much if any recourse when their rights are violated by Federal Agents. We followed LA native, Andrea Velez who is a US Citizen that was on her way to work last June when she was caught up in an ICE surge and detained for several days. Her charges were dropped but the experience has had lasting effects. We followed her to DC where she spoke alongside other US Citizens who have been in similar situations and hope to hold federal agents accountable. Legal experts we spoke to on this topic explain how the current administration has been a real stress test on these policies."

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WPR: Judge rejects Trump administration’s attempt to get unredacted Wisconsin voter registration list

05.21.26

"A federal judge has rejected the Trump administration’s bid to acquire Wisconsin’s full voter registration list. Last year, the Trump administration requested an unredacted list of Wisconsin’s registered voters. According to federal officials, that list needed to include either partial social security numbers or driver’s license numbers." (References SDRI Research).

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Courthouse News Service: Judge rejects Trump reach for Wisconsin voter roll

05.21.26

"According to the State Democracy Research Initiative, eight federal courts have dismissed the Justice Department’s suits on the merits. One state, Oklahoma, entered into a settlement agreement where it provided its unredacted data in exchange for the lawsuit being dropped." (References SDRI Research).

In the Media

Washington Post: ICE agent charged in shooting of immigrant during Minneapolis crackdown

Bryna Godar 05.18.26

"County prosecutors issued a warrant for the arrest of the agent, who faces felony assault charges. The victim was one of three people shot during January’s crackdown."

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Minnesota Reformer: ICE agent charged in Jan. 14 shooting of Venezuelan man

Bryna Godar 05.18.26

"Minnesota prosecutors charged U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent Christian J. Castro, 52, on Monday with assault in the Jan. 14 shooting of Julio Sosa-Celis in north Minneapolis. The ICE agent, who was identified for the first time publicly on Monday, faces four counts of second-degree assault as well as one count of falsely reporting a crime." (References SDRI Research).

In the Media

Bloomberg Law: Trump DOJ’s Voter Roll Demands Set for Appeals Court Tests

Derek Clinger 05.12.26

"Two federal appeals courts will soon weigh whether state election officials must turn their unredacted voter rolls over to the Justice Department—an argument President Donald Trump’s administration has yet to win in court. . . . “I do find that fascinating how all the district courts are reaching the same kind of bottom line that the Justice Department loses, but they’re getting there with different reasoning,” said Derek Clinger, senior counsel and director of partnerships with the University of Wisconsin law school’s State Democracy Research Initiative."