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The State Democracy Research Initiative works to produce high-quality research and share its findings and insights with the public, press, advocates, scholars, and judges. This work takes a variety of forms, from timely commentary to comprehensive overviews of all 50 states to forward-looking legal analysis.

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In the Media

FOX 9 KMSP: Could Minnesota prosecute federal agents in ICE shootings?

Bryna Godar 01.26.26

"Bryna Godar of the University of Wisconsin explains how Minnesota could prosecute federal law enforcement on state charges."

In the Media

The Washington Post: DOJ, FBI on sidelines in Minnesota shooting probe; state vows investigation

Bryna Godar 01.25.26

"State officials vow their own investigation, setting up a potential legal clash with federal officials."

In the Media

Lawfare Daily: Can Minnesota Prosecute ICE Agent Jonathan Ross?

Bryna Godar 01.22.26

Senior Editor Anna Bower spoke with Carolyn Shapiro, co-director of Chicago-Kent College of Law's Institute on the Supreme Court, and Bryna Godar, a Staff Attorney with the State Democracy Research Initiative at the University of Wisconsin Law School. The discussion covered the state of Minnesota’s jurisdiction to criminally investigate Jonathan Ross, the ICE official who reportedly shot and killed Renee Nicole Good on Jan. 7. The conversation also covered obstacles state prosecutors might face in pursuing a potential prosecution and the likelihood that Ross could raise what’s known as "Supremacy Clause immunity."

Research Resources & Guides

Tracker: DOJ Lawsuits Seeking States' Sensitive Voter Data

01.21.26 Last Updated 05.19.26

As part of President Trump’s efforts to expand federal control over the country’s historically state-run election infrastructure, the U.S. Department of Justice has demanded copies of states’ complete voter registration lists, including voters’ highly sensitive data like birthdates, partial Social Security numbers, and driver’s license numbers. The Justice Department has filed federal lawsuits against 30 states (so far) and Washington, D.C., seeking orders compelling these jurisdictions to turn over their data. This tracker monitors the Justice Department’s lawsuits.

In the Media

The New York Times: An Old Theory Helps Explain What Happened to Renee Good

01.18.26

"There is a doctrine called supremacy clause immunity that prohibits state officials from prosecuting federal officers when they’re reasonably acting in their official capacity. It’s not absolute immunity like the administration claims, but it’s still a high hurdle for any prosecution to overcome.” (References SDRI Research).

In the Media

AP News: Proposals on immigration enforcement flood into state legislatures, heightened by Minnesota action

"States have broad power to regulate within their borders unless the U.S. Constitution bars it, but many of these laws raise novel issues that courts will have to sort out, said Harrison Stark, senior counsel with the State Democracy Research Initiative at the University of Wisconsin Law School."

In the Media

CivicMedia Matenaer on Air: Seeking Justice In Minnesota

Bryna Godar 01.13.26

"We kick off the show with Bryna Godar, a Staff Attorney with UW's State Democracy Research Initiative. We are talking about the next steps for Minnesota in their pursuit of a lawsuit against the ICE Agent who killed a Minneapolis citizen in her car last week. She discusses the process, as well as the hurdles of mounting a case against the Federal government in any situation let alone the current administration."

In the Media

USA Today: Why state charges for Minneapolis ICE shooting are possible but tricky

Bryna Godar 01.12.26

"Federal courts have sometimes blocked state prosecutions under that provision, out of concern that state authorities are using their prosecutorial power to frustrate the federal government from legitimately exercising its own powers, according to Bryna Godar, a staff attorney at the University of Wisconsin Law School's State Democracy Research Initiative."

In the Media

Wisconsin Public Radio: Wisconsinites protests ICE around the state

Bryna Godar 01.12.26

"Protestors rallied statewide over the weekend condemning Immigration and Customs Enforcement and honoring the Minnesota resident fatally shot by an ICE agent Wednesday. A reporter details Milwaukee protests, an Appleton demonstrator shares his perspective and an attorney provides legal analysis."

In the Media

Chicago Tribune: Minnesota shooting raises questions about who investigates federal agents

Bryna Godar 01.11.26

"'Federal officers do not have absolute immunity for actions taken on the job but they do have some immunities,' said Bryna Godar, a staff attorney at the State Democracy Research Initiative at the University of Wisconsin Law School."

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