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, …
Voting and Elections
Wayne Law Review: “Survey of the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission’s Inaugural Redistricting Cycle” by Derek Clinger
As part of the Wayne Law Review’s Annual Survey of Michigan Law, Senior Staff Attorney Derek Clinger surveyed the lawsuits involving the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission during the Commission’s inaugural redistricting cycle (2021-2022)
Kansas Supreme Court – League of Women Voters v. Schwab Brief Filed
PDF Available Here On October 4, the State Democracy Research Initiative submitted an amici curiae brief on behalf of Professors Richard E. Levy and Stephen R. McAllister of the University of Kansas School of Law …
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 …
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
Year in Review: Democracy Litigation in SCOTUS and the States
Events | State Democracy Research Initiative
On July 11th, 2023, the State Democracy Research Initiative and the University’s Elections Research Center kicked off our Election Matters 2023-24 series with a panel entitled “Year in Review: Democracy Litigation in SCOTUS and the States.”
Derek Clinger in ProPublica: Senior Staff Attorney Clinger comments on Georgia’s voter challenge process
In the News | <ProPublica
Montana Supreme Court – Montana Democratic Party v. Jacobsen Amicus Brief Filed
Featured, Briefs | State Democracy Research Initiative
On Friday, our faculty co-directors Miriam Seifter and Rob Yablon submitted an amicus brief with other legal scholars in the Montana Supreme Court.
Dustin Brown in The Post Crescent: Senior Staff Attorney Brown comments on the current state of WEC Commissioner Meagan Wolfe’s renomination
In the News | <The Post Crescent
Moore v. Harper and the Purcell Principle
Featured, Explainers | State Democracy Research Initiative
Commentary on Moore v. Harper has not yet focused on how the Purcell principle might shape what comes next.