Skip to main content

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.

Interactive Sites

All Resources and Publications

Amicus Briefs

Bothfeld et al. v. Wisconsin Elections Commission et al.

09.03.26

On September 3, 2026, the State Democracy Research Initiative filed an amicus brief on behalf of eight legal scholars encouraging the court to be mindful of the Wisconsin Constitution's foundational democratic commitments. The brief explains that this constitutionally embedded democracy principle prevents mapmakers from manipulating electoral districts for partisan advantage, and that partisan gerrymandering claims are justiciable. (The brief expresses no view on the ultimate merits of the plaintiffs' specific claim.)

In the Media

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: A guide to the 3 statewide referendums in Wisconsin's Nov. 3 election

Bryna Godar 09.01.26

Wisconsin voters will see three questions on the Nov. 3 ballot that ask whether the state constitution should be changed to further restrict the governor’s partial veto powers, prevent church closures during future pandemics and prohibit race-based eligibility in government programs.

In the Media

NPR: How Democrats in Congress are preparing for Trump midterm election interference

08.28.26

"Congressional Democrats are preparing for a new kind of midterm challenge: the risk that President Trump will attempt to undermine November's elections by claiming fraud or interfering in the voting process." (References SDRI Research).

In the Media

Channel 3000: Wisconsin, other states challenge mail-in ballots order

Derek Clinger 08.28.26

"A legal fight over mail ballots is unfolding just weeks before Wisconsin is scheduled to begin sending them to voters. In March, President Donald Trump issued an executive order aimed at creating a national list of eligible voters and directing the U.S. Postal Service to mail ballots only to voters on that list."

Reports

How State Laws May Constrain Law Enforcement Seizures of Election Materials

Derek Clinger 08.25.26

A recent episode involving a California sheriff who obtained a search warrant and seized more than 650,000 ballots from a November 2025 special election has raised the troubling possibility that a similar incident could occur while a state's vote-counting process is still underway. This Report explores these concerns and offers guidance to the state and local actors best positioned to address them.

In the Media

WPR: Supreme Court order on mail-in voting won’t immediately affect Wisconsin ballots

Derek Clinger 08.25.26

"A U.S. Supreme Court decision allowing President Donald Trump to advance his plan to restrict voting by mail won’t be the final word ahead of Wisconsin’s November election, Wisconsin election officials say."

In the Media

The Salt Lake Tribune: Trump’s mail-in voting restrictions can stand, Supreme Court rules. Here’s what that means for Utah.

08.24.26

"Just seven weeks before Utah’s counties are scheduled to mail ballots to every active, registered voter in the state, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in one case Monday that restrictions on mail voting ordered by President Donald Trump can move forward ahead of November." (References SDRI Research).

Amicus Briefs

Wisconsin Business Leaders for Democracy et al. v. Wisconsin Elections Commission et al.

08.20.26

On August 20, 2026, the State Democracy Research Initiative filed an amicus brief on behalf of eight legal scholars encouraging the court to be mindful of the Wisconsin Constitution's foundational democratic commitments. The brief explains that this constitutionally embedded democracy principle prevents mapmakers from seeking to suppress electoral competition and accountability and that such anti-competitive gerrymandering claims are justiciable. (The brief expresses no view on the ultimate merits of the plaintiffs' specific claim.)

In the Media

Cato Institute: Election Policy Roundup #29: October Surprise?

"Number 29 in our series of occasional roundups on election law and policy, returning to the topic (also treated in June) of state and local preparations for last-minute disruptions and federal interference in the midterm elections." (References SDRI Research).

In the Media

State Officials Are Preparing For Trump To Test The Limits Of Federal Election Power

"The midterm elections in November will be the final test before the 2028 presidential race of whether states can hold the line against any illegal attempts by the Trump administration to interfere at polls or intimidate voters. State officials have not taken that test lightly."

Get in touch with our team about our research and work.

Connect