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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

PBS Wisconsin: Robert Yablon on judge recusal rules and a rise in requests

Rob Yablon 03.30.26

"University of Wisconsin Law School professor Robert Yablon describes standards of recusal for judges and justices as requests for the action increase in response to campaign donations and statements."

In the Media

Wisconsin Public Radio: Wisconsin election officials pushing back against US DOJ lawsuit seeking voter list

Derek Clinger 03.13.26

"Derek Clinger, a senior attorney with the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s State Democracy Research Initiative, told WPR the federal government’s use of the Civil Rights Act is an interesting approach."

In the Media

The Badger Herald: Wisconsin court affirms governor’s authority in controversial budget veto

Bryna Godar 03.13.26

"The Wisconsin Supreme Court in April 2025 upheld Gov. Tony Evers’ use of the partial veto to convert a two-year funding increase for schools into one that would last 2,425 years, prompting Republican lawmakers to propose a constitutional amendment limiting the governor’s veto power on the November 2026 ballot, according to the court’s majority opinion in LeMieux v. Evers."

In the Media

Wisconsin Watch: Latest Wisconsin Supreme Court case flips the script on which judges strictly interpret the law

Bryna Godar 03.10.26

"The Wisconsin Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments Wednesday in a case that highlights how judges can apply different interpretations of the law and constitution to suit their ideological viewpoints."

In the Media

Votebeat: In appeal, Madison warns disenfranchisement ruling could trigger wave of election lawsuits

Bryna Godar 02.26.26

"The City of Madison on Monday appealed a ruling that allows it to be sued for monetary damages for disenfranchising nearly 200 voters in the 2024 election, arguing the decision would unrealistically require 'error-free elections' and expose municipalities across the state to liability for mistakes. . . . Bryna Godar, a staff attorney at the University of Wisconsin Law School’s State Democracy Research Initiative, clarified that a court wouldn’t need to overturn the historic Black voting rights case entirely to rule that it doesn’t apply in the lawsuit against Madison."

In the Media

Wisconsin Watch: Can Wisconsin do what Montana is attempting to prohibit corporations from donating to campaigns?

Derek Clinger 02.13.26

"'They made a case that doing this would comply with the U.S. Supreme Court precedent and that states have this power to regulate and kind of control what sorts of activities corporations are allowed to participate in,' Clinger said. 'It’s an interesting idea what they’re doing in Montana, but I think it would absolutely be litigated, and it’s kind of hard to predict what would happen.'"

In the Media

WisPolitics: Wisconsin lawmakers split on GOP bill to require proof of citizenship to register to vote

"Danielle Friedman, legal director at the University of Wisconsin Law School’s State Democracy Research Initiative, highlighted several ways the bill would affect voting in Wisconsin."

In the Media

Wisconsin Public Radio: Gov. Tony Evers blasts Madison’s defense in lawsuit over uncounted absentee ballots

Bryna Godar 01.27.26

“The Legislature has, in these absentee voting statutes, made clear that it considers absentee voting to be a privilege, in that absentee voting as a method is not constitutionally required, and that the Legislature can impose some additional procedures on absentee voting that it maybe couldn’t impose on in-person voting. That privileged language does not mean that when you vote absentee, you don’t have a right to have your vote counted.”

Research Resources & Guides

Tracker: DOJ Lawsuits Seeking States' Sensitive Voter Data

01.21.26 Last Updated 04.16.26

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 29 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

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What to know about Wisconsin's battle over congressional redistricting

Rob Yablon 12.29.25

"If you're having a hard time keeping up with the latest developments on redistricting in Wisconsin, you're not alone. The issue has been the subject of debate and legal battles for years – and it's once again before the courts as two lawsuits challenging the state's congressional maps move forward."

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