Miriam Seifter
@miriamseifter.bsky.social
Law Professor at Wisconsin Law; Faculty Co-Director @UWLawDemocracy
In a newly published essay in Northwestern U. L. Rev., @miriamseifter.bsky.social & @bgodar.bsky.social examine how state constitutional principles inform permissible state court reforms and highlight recent legislative efforts at odds with these principles. go.wisc.edu/g3786t
Join us today! @law.ucla.edu @stevevladeck.bsky.social @miriamseifter.bsky.social @loriringhand.bsky.social 12:15 pm PT *free registration required
Rick Hasen @rickhasen.bsky.social · 5mo agoThursday April 9 SDP Webinar with Ringhand, Seifter, and Vladeck: “Can and Will Courts Ensure Free and Fair Elections in 2026?” electionlawblog.org?p=155301
NEW: A new semester (and deep freeze) make for a good time to catch up on state public law reading. Check out @miriamseifter.bsky.social's roundup of scholarship exploring state power in times of federal-state and interstate conflict.
New Year Scholarship Roundup: Federal-State Conflict, State Courts, and Election Administration
Several new articles explore state power in times of federal-state and interstate conflict.
statecourtreport.org
My latest scholarship roundup up for @statecourtreport.org covers interesting new work on state constitutions, state courts, federalism, and more. (Sorry to report that it’s the back-to-school edition!) statecourtreport.org/our-work/ana...
Back-to-School Scholarship Roundup: State Courts, Constitutional Law, and Federalism
Recent books and law review articles discuss voter disenfranchisement, separation of church and state, and much more.
statecourtreport.org
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 ...
go.wisc.edu
New: The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that an 1849 law on abortion was impliedly repealed by later abortion legislation, so it no longer operates as a ban on abortion.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...
wicourts.gov
State court clerkships often fly under the radar. That's why @statecourtreport.bsky.social released a new resource identifying clerkship opportunities from 19 states and over 95 justices. We have info on application requirements, deadlines, etc. Check it out! statecourtreport.org/state-judici...
State Judicial Clerkship Resource
statecourtreport.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 - Madison, Wisconsin, United States
Job Summary: -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 bri...
go.wisc.edu
Reminder to check out our event today on the Wisconsin Supreme Court election, 3 p.m. CT at UW Law or online. Panelists include @bcburden.bsky.social, Michael Kang, and @yeargain.bsky.social, with @miriamseifter.bsky.social moderating. (Approved for WI and MN CLE.) Register here: go.wisc.edu/96y654
Understanding State Supreme Court Elections: Wisconsin & Beyond
A moderated panel featuring leading experts in judicial elections and campaign dynamics.
go.wisc.edu
Amidst all the chaos, was delighted to get these in the mail. My latest, Some Realism About Criminal Justice Localism now in print from U Penn Law Review! scholarship.law.upenn.edu/penn_law_rev...
Still time to apply for our open positions at SDRI — please share widely!
State Democracy Research Initiative@uwlawdemocracy.bsky.social · 2y agoWe're hiring! There's still time to apply for our open positions! Deadline is March 16.
It's another big month for state supreme court oral arguments. Courts will be hearing cases re: a voter-approved minimum wage increase, a challenge to a near-total abortion ban & more. Check out @statecourtreport.bsky.social's round-up of arguments to watch for. statecourtreport.org/our-work/ana...
State Court Oral Arguments to Watch for in March
Issues on the dockets include controversial ballot counting rules, a minimum wage hike, and “dark money” contributions.
statecourtreport.org
Here's a list of user-friendly resources about state courts and constitutions, like: -an interactive map on abortion rights -a curated database of important state constitutional rulings & briefs -details on judicial financial disclosures and way more @statecourtreport.bsky.social
State Constitutional Resources We Love
For those who want to know more about state constitutions, a compilation of tools including case databases, interactive maps, and more.
statecourtreport.org
Judge Stephen Dillard@judgedillard.bsky.social · 2y agoI love that so many law schools are now offering state constitutional law courses. As I’ve said before, the overwhelming majority of cases in this country take place in & are resolved by state courts. It’s crucial to educate the next generation of lawyers about state courts and state constitutions.
Come work with our amazing team!
State Democracy Research Initiative@uwlawdemocracy.bsky.social · 2y agoWe’re hiring! SDRI is searching for a Legal Director and a Senior Staff Attorney or Staff Attorney. Read more about these positions and apply here: Legal Director posting: go.wisc.edu/d0fq8t Senior Staff Attorney/Staff Attorney posting: go.wisc.edu/37e3w9
A politician, a legal advocate, and a law professor walk into a room... Looking forward to this lunchtime event sponsored by @floersheimercenter.bsky.social w/ AL Rep. Ensler, Susan Lerner, and @miriamseifter.bsky.social!
Floersheimer Center for Constitutional Democracy@floersheimercenter.bsky.social · 2y agoPlease join Phillip Ensler, Susan Lerner (@ourcommoncause.bsky.social), and Miriam Seifter @miriamseifter.bsky.social (Professor @law.wisc.edu) who, with @cardozolaw.bsky.social's own Professor Codrington @wuc3.bsky.social, will discuss ballot measures, direct democracy, and state level changes!
Join us for “Understanding State Supreme Court Elections: Wisconsin and Beyond” Friday, March 7 at 3pm CT, at the UW Law School or online. Panelists include @bcburden.bsky.social, Michael Kang, and @yeargain.bsky.social, with @miriamseifter.bsky.social moderating. Register here: go.wisc.edu/96y654
Understanding State Supreme Court Elections: Wisconsin & Beyond
A moderated panel featuring leading experts in judicial elections and campaign dynamics.
go.wisc.edu
New casebook! State Constitutional Law: Cases and Principles, by Jessica Bulman-Pozen and me, will be published by Foundation Press this spring and ready for fall classes! We’re happy to chat with anyone who’s thinking of teaching the class.
I'm excited to share NYU Law Review's new symposium issue, which came out of @brennancenter.bsky.social & @statecourtreport.bsky.social's February conference The Promise & Limits of State Constitutions. It's a who's who of top scholars discussing state con law. /1 nyulawreview.org/issues/volum...
Volume 99, Number 6 Archives - NYU Law Review
nyulawreview.org
1/@statecourtreport.bsky.social asked leading thinkers: What's the most important 2024 state constitutional case? The replies paint a complex but hopeful picture @leahlitman.bsky.social @yeargain.bsky.social @dbrodriguez.bsky.social @miriamseifter.bsky.social statecourtreport.org/our-work/ana...
2024’s Most Significant State Constitutional Cases
Legal experts identified the most important cases that advanced state constitutional rights this year.
statecourtreport.org
Check out the latest features on 50constitutions.org, and follow @uwlawdemocracy.bsky.social for more updates!
State Democracy Research Initiative@uwlawdemocracy.bsky.social · 2y ago🚨50 Constitutions Update🚨 Our latest update to 50constitutions.org adds tracking constitutional change features to 9 states! These tools allow users to explore a state's full amendment history. (Additional states coming in 2025!)
Many thanks to @rickhasen.bsky.social for hosting these posts on the new Oxford Handbook of American Election Law, heroically edited by Gene Mazo. It’s a superb volume with a whopping 44(!) chapters. Mine focuses on the U.S. campaign industry.
Rick Hasen @rickhasen.bsky.social · 2y agoELB Book Corner: Robert Yablon, “The Campaign Industry,” in The Oxford Handbook of American Election Law (Oxford University Press 2024). electionlawblog.org?p=147655
The annual Wisconsin Law Review issue on public law in the states is live! Great essays by @oldfatherc.bsky.social, @kmtani.bsky.social, @slwashington.bsky.social, @chrisjwalker.bsky.social, @robyablon.bsky.social and @derekclinger.bsky.social, and more. Wlr.law.wisc.edu/volume-2024-no-5/
Volume 2024, No. 5
The Role of State Justices in Advancing State Constitutional Law: Some Thoughts from Colorado by Jake Mazeitis & Hon. Melissa Hart; Constitutional and Administrative Innovation Through State Labor Law...
wlr.law.wisc.edu
Wisconsin Supreme Court strikes down current legislative maps as violating the WI Constitution’s contiguity requirement. www.wicourts.gov/sc/opinion/D...
wicourts.gov
So many terrific essays in this special issue—check them out!
State Democracy Research Initiative@uwlawdemocracy.bsky.social · 3y ago📣Now available: Wisconsin Law Review Special Issue on Public Law in the States! wlr.law.wisc.edu/volume-2023-... This year, states stepped into the spotlight, but they’ve long been doing the heavy lifting in the U.S. legal system. These essays explore issues of state public law and state courts.
Faculty co-directors @miriamseifter.bsky.social & @robyablon.bsky.social filed an amicus brief with other scholars today in WI's redistricting case, arguing that the WI Constitution’s core democratic commitments and separation-of-powers principles require new legislative maps. go.wisc.edu/9jg795
Wisconsin Supreme Court – Clarke v. Wisconsin Elections Commission Amicus Brief Filed
On November 8, the State Democracy Research Initiative’s faculty co-directors Miriam Seifter and Rob Yablon filed an amicus brief along with five other legal scholars in Clarke v. Wisconsin Electi...
statedemocracy.law.wisc.edu
Many thanks to UW Law School’s alumni magazine, the Gargoyle, for recognizing our work at the State Democracy Research Initiative. Check out the story here: gargoyle.law.wisc.edu/2023/10/weig...
Weight of the States
State Democracy Research Initiative leads the way in focusing attention, creating resources and building community.
gargoyle.law.wisc.edu
Today, the Kansas Supreme Court hears arguments in League of Women Voters v. Schwab--a challenge under the KS Constitution to absentee voting restrictions. We filed an amicus brief for two Kansas law profs who urge strict scrutiny of the laws. Read here: statedemocracy.law.wisc.edu/featured/202...
Kansas Supreme Court – League of Women Voters v. Schwab Brief Filed
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 in a l...
statedemocracy.law.wisc.edu
I’m looking forward to moderating this panel on Friday — join us in person or online!
State Democracy Research Initiative@uwlawdemocracy.bsky.social · 3y agoWe're excited for our next panel discussion: State Constitutions and Climate Change, on Oct. 27 at 3:00pm, featuring Justice Michael Wilson, Dean Elizabeth Kronk Warner, Prof. Shelley Welton, and @jadler1969.bsky.social, with @miriamseifter.bsky.social moderating. Register here: t.co/LPxxx7NGF9
Our latest report, Unpacking State Legislative Vetoes, explores a little-known governance tool that can have a big impact on state policy. SDRI’s @miriamseifter.bsky.social & Derek Clinger detail how state legislative vetoes work and analyze their constitutionality. go.wisc.edu/3jt034
I’m excited about this new tool for state con law research—check it out!
State Democracy Research Initiative@uwlawdemocracy.bsky.social · 3y agoCheck out our cool new tool for state constitutional research: 50constitutions.org. Access the full text of all 50 state constitutions and search across states. For WI (and other states soon), track constitutional change across time. More features to come—feedback welcome!