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.
Multi-state
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, …
White Paper: Unpacking State Legislative Vetoes
Derek Clinger, Senior Staff Attorney Professor Miriam Seifter, Faculty Co-Director Published: October 13, 2023 Last Updated: December 20, 2024 PDF Available Here Table of Contents Introduction I. Models of State Legislative Oversight of Agency Rulemaking …
Explainer: State Constitutional Standards for Adjudicating Challenges to Restrictive Voting Laws
Emily Lau, Staff Attorney PDF Available Here Last Updated: February 3, 2025 State constitutions are distinct from the U.S. Constitution in many ways—not least of which is their commitment to popular sovereignty, majority rule, and …
State Democracy Research Initiative Hosts 3rd Annual Public Law in the States Conference
Events, Featured | State Democracy Research Initiative
On June 1st and 2nd, 2023, the State Democracy Research Initiative welcomed academics from across the country as well as four state supreme court justices for a conference on Public Law in the States.
Election-Litigation Data: 2018, 2020, 2022 State and Federal Court Filings
Research & Explainers | State Democracy Research Initiative
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.
Wisconsin Law Review Special Issue 2022: “Interpretation in the States”
Scholarship | State Democracy Research Initiative
Wisconsin Law Review Special Edition featuring papers from our June 2022 Conference
The Conversation: “State courts are fielding sky-high numbers of lawsuits ahead of midterms – including challenges to voting restrictions and to how elections are run”, Article by Miriam Seifter and Adam Sopko
Featured, In the Media | State Democracy Research Initiative
United States Supreme Court – Moore v. Harper Amicus Brief Filed
Featured, Briefs | State Democracy Research Initiative
On October 26th, 2022, the State Democracy Research Initiative filed an amicus brief in the U.S. Supreme Court case Moore v. Harper.