Direct Democracy
Explainer: Shaping Democracy: 2023’s Statewide Ballot Measures and What Lies Ahead in 2024
Derek Clinger, Senior Staff Attorney PDF Available Here The past year saw a continued trend of increased interest in direct democracy, with the highest number of statewide ballot measures for an odd-numbered election year in …
The Yale Law Journal Forum: “The Right to Amend State Constitutions” by Jessica Bulman-Pozen & Miriam Seifter
This Essay explores the people’s right to amend state constitutions, particularly in states that recognize the constitutional initiative. Together with other democratic rights that appear in state constitutions but not the federal charter, the right to amend recognizes popular sovereignty as an active commitment.
Direct Democracy in the States
This Report surveys current state laws affecting direct democracy, with an emphasis on those relating to voter participation and understanding. For instance, what information appears on the ballot, and who prepares it? What standards exist, …
Michigan Supreme Court – Mothering Justice v. Nessel Amicus Brief Filed
PDF Available Here On November 1, the State Democracy Research Initiative’s faculty co-directors Miriam Seifter and Rob Yablon submitted an amicus brief with four other legal scholars in Mothering Justice v. Nessel, a Michigan Supreme Court …
Derek Clinger in the Columbus Dispatch: Senior Staff Attorney Clinger comments on Ohio General Assembly’s threat to repeal proposed initiative to legalize recreational marijuana
Ohio Supreme Court Clears Way for August Vote on Legislative Effort to Curb Direct Democracy
Featured, Explainers | State Democracy Research Initiative
In a ruling with major implications for direct democracy in Ohio, the Ohio Supreme Court greenlighted the state legislature’s controversial plan to have Ohioans vote in August on a proposed constitutional amendment that would make it harder to amend Ohio’s Constitution in the future.
Michigan Supreme Court – Mothering Justice v. Nessel Amicus Brief Filed
Briefs | Michigan Supreme Court
Democracy-Related Ballot Measures in 2022 – and A Look Ahead
Featured, Explainers, Research & Explainers | State Democracy Research Initiative
In 2022, voters in 38 states weighed in on 140 statewide ballot measures.
Analysis: Unpacking Ohio’s flawed “supermajority” proposal for ballot initiatives
Featured, Explainers, Research & Explainers | State Democracy Research Initiative
Ohio’s lame duck General Assembly is considering a proposal (HJR6) that asks Ohioans to limit their own power to amend the state’s constitution.