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Our Work

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

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."

Reports

Can States Protect “Sensitive Locations” Like Courthouses, Hospitals, or Schools From Federal Immigration Enforcement?

For decades, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) limited enforcement operations at so-called “sensitive locations” like courthouses, schools, or hospitals. But during both Trump Administrations, officials rescinded those guidelines. This report discusses states and localities’ ability to adopt their own state-law policies to protect “sensitive locations” from the disruption of warrantless immigration arrests.

In the Media

Iowa Public Radio: Iowa shares sensitive voter data with the Department of Justice

Derek Clinger 05.07.26

"Iowa has shared voter registration data — including sensitive personal information — with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Secretary of State Paul Pate announced Tuesday. . . . Federal judges in six states have dismissed the lawsuits, according to the University of Wisconsin’s State Democracy Research Initiative, and Oklahoma reached a settlement with the DOJ and agreed to provide its voter data."

In the Media

Des Moines Register: Iowa turns over voter info to Trump officials as other states object

Derek Clinger 05.05.26

"Not every state agrees that the government is entitled to the requested data. The federal government has filed lawsuits against 30 states and the District of Columbia for withholding their voter information. . . . Federal courts so far have dismissed lawsuits against California, Oregon, Michigan, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Arizona, according to the University of Wisconsin's State Democracy Research Initiative."

In the Media

The New York Times: Trump Administration Sues New Jersey Governor Over ICE Mask Ban

"Bridget Lavender, a lawyer who has researched mask bans for the University of Wisconsin Law School’s State Democracy Research Initiative, said that most case law tied to the supremacy doctrine was old and largely dated."

In the Media

Law.com: States Moving to Open Liability Against ICE Agents Face Major Legal Hurdles

"'It has arguably never been harder in American history than it is today, in 2026, to sue a federal official for money damages if they violate your constitutional rights,' Harrison Stark of University of Wisconsin Law School said."

Commentary

State Court Report: Can States Ban Federal Officers from Wearing Masks?

Bridget Lavender 04.20.26 Last Updated 04.23.26

"Politicians at all levels of government have called for reforms to deescalate tensions arising from federal immigration enforcement in their states. One common proposal is banning law enforcement officers — including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection officers — from wearing masks."

In the Media

Minnesota Reformer: First ICE officer charged with assault for threatening people with a gun in Minnesota

Bryna Godar 04.17.26

"Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty on Thursday filed criminal charges against an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer for allegedly brandishing his service weapon at two people during Operation Metro Surge in what she said was a first-of-its-kind case in the country."

In the Media

Slate: Why the New Criminal Charges Against an ICE Agent in Minneapolis Could Be a True Turning Point

"On Thursday, Minnesota state prosecutors announced a historic set of charges against a federal immigration agent. Gregory Donnell Morgan Jr. has been charged with two felony counts of second-degree assault for pointing his gun at two Minnesota residents as they sat in their car back in February, right in the midst of the Trump administration’s brutal immigration crackdown in Minneapolis, dubbed Operation Metro Surge. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said she believes that this might be the first charge of its kind nationwide."

Reports

State and Local Property Law Responses to Federal Actions

Bryna Godar 04.17.26 Last Updated 04.20.26

State and local governments are increasingly using property law to push back on ICE operations. This report unpacks the viability of these efforts, from banning new detention centers to barring officers from staging operations on city property.

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