In the upcoming November election, Wisconsinites will be asked to vote on three proposed amendments to the Wisconsin Constitution. In a series of explainers, we describe the proposals, identify arguments for and against, and assess likely impacts. statedemocracy.law.wisc.edu/our-work/nov... 1/4

November 2026 Proposed Wisconsin Constitutional Amendments

In the upcoming November 2026 election, Wisconsin voters will be asked to vote on three proposed amendments to the Wisconsin Constitution. These…

statedemocracy.law.wisc.edu

Join us for a talk with Professor Judith Resnik on her new book, Impermissible Punishments: How Prison Became a Problem for Democracy, on Thursday, Oct 29, from 3-4 pm in Lubar Commons (Rm 7200) at UW Law School. Register here: go.wisc.edu/8wfl02

Yesterday, the California Supreme Court heard two challenges to a sheriff's seizure of 650k+ ballots from a Nov. '25 election based on debunked fraud claims. Our new report examines the risk of such seizures occurring during a vote count, and how states can respond: go.wisc.edu/dc9qbo

In 2024, New Yorkers adopted an Amendment that expanded the state constitution’s Equal Protection Clause to bar discrimination based on ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender expression, pregnancy status, reproductive healthcare & more. Learn more at 50constitutions.org/ny

Mail voting is under unprecedented federal pressure ahead of the 2026 midterms. From the White House to the Supreme Court to Congress, the threats to this widely used form of voting are mounting. Our new Explainer explores what's happening and what states can do about it: go.wisc.edu/622s38

How Can States Address Federal Hostility to Mail Voting?

Mail voting is under unprecedented federal pressure heading into the 2026 midterm elections. From the White House to the Supreme Court to Congress, a…

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State courts are encountering a new type of “vote dilution” claim, which asserts that certain election practices are unconstitutional because they increase the hypothetical risk of voter fraud, and thus dilute the weight of “legal” ballots. Our latest Report unpacks these claims: go.wisc.edu/n9nk35

Hypothetical Vote Dilution Claims and State Constitutions

State courts are encountering a new type of “vote dilution” claim, which asserts that certain election rules or practices are unconstitutional because…

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North Carolina's 2024 Supreme Court race took 6 months of litigation to resolve, while some worry that similar post-election challenges could affect control of Congress. But state supreme courts have tools to prevent this. Learn more in our new explainer: statedemocracy.law.wisc.edu/our-work/how...

How State Supreme Courts Can Prevent Prolonged Election Contests

Litigation over election results serves an important role in legitimizing the democratic process, but when these challenges drag on for months, they can…

statedemocracy.law.wisc.edu

For decades, ICE limited enforcement operations at locations like schools and hospitals. Both Trump Administrations rescinded those guidelines. @harrisonstark.bsky.social discusses states & localities’ ability to adopt their own policies in a new report: statedemocracy.law.wisc.edu/our-work/can...

Can States Protect “Sensitive Locations” Like Courthouses, Hospitals, or Schools From Federal Immigration Enforcement?

For decades, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) limited enforcement operations at so-called “sensitive locations” like courthouses, schools, or…

statedemocracy.law.wisc.edu

🎓 Congratulations to the Class of 2026 @law.wisc.edu Graduates, especially those who worked with us here at SDRI. We look forward to staying in touch and can't wait to see where you all go next!

🚨SDRI is hiring!🚨 Learn more about our Staff Attorney and Fellowship opportunities here ➡️ statedemocracy.law.wisc.edu/get-involved...

Join us for "The Work of State Supreme Courts" on May 29, from 9-10:30 am, featuring state supreme court justices from across the country! Register to join us in-person or online⬇️ go.wisc.edu/h2ef9d

State and local governments are increasingly using property law to push back on ICE operations. Our new report unpacks the viability of these efforts, from banning new detention centers to barring officers from staging operations on city property. statedemocracy.law.wisc.edu/our-work/sta...

State and Local Property Law Responses to Federal Actions

State and local governments are increasingly using property law to push back on ICE operations. This report unpacks the viability of these efforts, from…

statedemocracy.law.wisc.edu

🚨Register now: go.wisc.edu/5sgx2j%F0%9F... A reminder to register for our event on the changing politics of Gen Z. Experts will discuss rising youth participation, attitudes toward parties and institutions, and what these shifts mean for the future of American politics.

📢🚀🚨 We just launched our new website! 🚨🚀📢 📍It's easier to navigate 🔍 Has improved search features 📌And allows users to filter our work by topic and type! Check it out at statedemocracy.law.wisc.edu 👉💻⬇️

Join us for the next installment in our Election Matters series, "The Battle Over Mid-Decade Redistricting" on March 6, 3-4:15 pm CT. Panelists will offer an update on mid-decade redistricting and how it may impact the 2026 midterms. Register here: go.wisc.edu/95y7s8

If you'd like to learn more about the power of states to prosecute federal officials, check out my colleague Bryna's explainer on the issue.

Bryna Godar@bgodar.bsky.social · 9mo ago

In case you're wondering, yes, states can prosecute federal officials if they act beyond the scope of their duties, violate federal law, or behave in an egregious or unwarranted manner. More info here: statedemocracy.law.wisc.edu/featured/202...

The federal government has been suing states to force them to hand over full voter registration lists, including personal details protected by state privacy law. Yesterday, DC, GA, IL, and WI became the latest to be sued. Our new explainer analyzes these legal disputes. go.wisc.edu/xb7m0v

As the federal government pulls back from policing public corruption, can states help to fill the void? This explainer by @bgodar.bsky.social explores the potential for states to use their own anticorruption laws and other tools to address federal-level corruption. go.wisc.edu/ive401

With some federal agents now wearing masks on the job, a growing number of states are considering mask bans. Can states apply such laws to federal actors without contravening the U.S. Constitution’s Supremacy Clause? We explore this question in a new Explainer: go.wisc.edu/bn0b1c

Join us for “Judging in State Appellate Courts” on Thursday, October 30, from 12:00-1:00 pm CT. This event will take place in-person in Lubar Commons (room 7200) of the UW Law School, with the option to attend virtually. Lunch will be provided. go.wisc.edu/zame95

Join us for the next installment in our Election Matters panel series on "Money, Politics, and the First Amendment." This event will explore the impacts of increasingly expensive elections and the tension between campaign finance regulation and free speech. Register here: go.wisc.edu/190re6

📢Call for papers for a Scholarship Roundtable on State and Local Governance, organized by @uwlawdemocracy.bsky.social and Professors Alexandra Klass, Nina Mendelson, and @chrisjwalker.bsky.social and taking place at @umichlaw.bsky.social, 4/10/26 in Ann Arbor! Details here: go.wisc.edu/rx53ph

Join us for “Education Rights and State Constitutions” on Friday, September 12 from 3:00-4:15pm Central Time, with a reception to follow. This event will take place in-person in Room 2260 in the UW Law School, with the option to attend virtually. go.wisc.edu/7ig7qx

Can states criminally prosecute wrongdoing by federal officials? Can states authorize people to bring civil damages actions against federal officials who act unconstitutionally? We explore these questions in two new explainers. 1/ go.wisc.edu/yb8t55

Exploring State Checks Against Federal Overreach

States have many tools to help counter federal abuses of power. Facing a torrent of controversial federal government actions, states today are pursuing or considering an array of options. In a series ...

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🚨50 Constitutions Update🚨 Our latest update to 50constitutions.org adds tracking constitutional change features to 4 additional states! These tools allow users to explore a state's full amendment history. 50constitutions.org

📣 UW Law School's State Democracy Research Initiative is hiring! We’re searching for a program coordinator to support SDRI in all aspects of its work, from events to communications and research support. Apply here: go.wisc.edu/6p0b3n

Program Coordinator, State Democracy Research Initiative (SDRI) - Madison, Wisconsin, United States

Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process.Job Category:University StaffEmployment Type:RegularJob Profile:Administrative Assistant IIJob Duties:-Serves as the Initiative's administrative point person, handles all matters related to logistics, planning, scheduling, and record-keeping;-Monitors and analyzes current events and briefs colleagues on ongoing developments;-Manages the Initiative's communications, including its newsletter, social media, and website;-Interfaces with student researchers to manage onboarding;-Assists staff with the creation of designs for social media content, research data charts, and other research and informational needs;-Plans and serves as the main point of...

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New: The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that an 1849 law on abortion was impliedly repealed by later abortion legislation, so it no longer operates as a ban on abortion. Read the opinion here: www.wicourts.gov/sc/opinion/D...

Join us for “Year in Review: Democracy Litigation in SCOTUS and the States” Thursday, July 10 at 3pm CT, at the Madison Public Library or online. The panel will highlight the past year’s significant democracy-related decisions at both the state and federal levels. Register here: go.wisc.edu/bl85id

Thank you to the Gargoyle for highlighting Liz Gracie and John Miller’s generosity in contributing $50,000 to establish a matching gift for SDRI. We are so grateful to them and the other donors! gargoyle.law.wisc.edu/2025/06/supp...

Supporting a Strong Democracy

UW Law School Board of Visitors members John W. Miller ’06, along with Elizabeth Gracie ’83 and her Chicago law firm O’Keefe Lyons & Hynes, LLC, contributed a total of $50,000 to create a 1:1 matching...

gargoyle.law.wisc.edu