1/ Starting a thread to track the DOJ voter data litigation as courts begin hearing these cases. So far, DOJ has sued 23 states + DC for refusing to hand over sensitive voter data like SSNs and driver's license numbers.
My full analysis: statedemocracy.law.wisc.edu/featured/202...
American Samoans, unique among *everyone* born in US states or territories, are denied US citizenship.
That means they are banned from voting.
That's made some a target of vicious GOP prosecution for fraud; even if they were told incorrect info from public officials.
A. New. Must. Read.
Wrote a piece for @slate.com explaining that states have a long history of prosecuting federal officers when they allegedly use excessive force. Federal officers are only immune from such prosecutions when they act reasonably in carrying out lawful duties.
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...
Might be a good time to re-up this @lawfaremedia.org piece by @bgodar.bsky.social
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/are-...
My last freelance piece of the year published yesterday in @boltsmag.org, taking a look at how Illinois' name change law still disproportionately impacts trans people with criminal histories. boltsmag.org/illinois-nam...
Are you an attorney interested in a career in law teaching? The Hastie Fellowship is a two-year program that supports aspiring scholars in becoming law professors.
Applications for the Fall 2026 Fellowship are encouraged to be submitted by this Sunday, Nov. 16. Learn more and apply: buff.ly/J1MrKkK.
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
Join us for "The Work of State Supreme Courts" on May 30, from 9-10:30am, featuring state supreme court justices from across the country!
Register for in-person or online⬇️
go.wisc.edu/p12jci
@uwlawdemocracy.bsky.social senior staff attorney @derekclinger.bsky.social published a new paper exploring whether Ohio legislators can override voter-approved laws based on the state's constitution: bit.ly/4jHMUDV
The Wisconsin Supreme Court today upheld Gov. Evers’s creative partial veto that struck digits and dashes to extend a school revenue limit increase by 400 years: www.wicourts.gov/sc/opinion/D...
Our fantastic program coordinator is off to law school, so we're looking for someone to replace him this summer. Please share the listing!
This coming Tuesday, 16- and 17-year olds will be allowed to vote in school board elections in Newark.
Approximately 6,500 teens are eligible, marking a significant shift in who gets to shape education policy. boltsmag.org/newark-...
An OH court struck down parts of a law banning gender-affirming care for minors. @aliciabannon.bsky.social breaks down this notable ongoing case, which shows how state constitutions can independently protect trans people. For the latest state court news, subscribe: go.statecourtreport.org/subscribe
Wisconsin's high-stakes April 1 Supreme Court election could chart the state's course on abortion, voting rights, unions, and more. Our new explainer gets beyond the campaign ads with detailed coverage of the candidates' judicial records and stances on key issues.
go.wisc.edu/17km66
LAW STUDENTS: State courts represent the next legal frontier for issues like criminal law, civil rights, environmental law, and more.
Join us Monday, March 17, 3pm ET for a discussion with sitting state high court justices on everything you need to know about state supreme court clerkships. RSVP:
Join us for “Local Perspectives: Mayors in American Governance” on Tuesday, April 1, from 12-1pm CT, at the UW Law School. Panelists include Mayors Julia Arata-Fratta, David Holt, Kim Norton, Steve Patterson, and Sangeetha Rayapati. Miriam Seifter is moderating.
Register here: go.wisc.edu/x8j35p
As money pours into the Wisconsin Supreme Court race from Elon Musk, George Soros, political parties, and others, it's a good time to revisit our explainer on judicial recusal from 2023. Bottom line: campaign contributions usually don't require recusal. statedemocracy.law.wisc.edu/featured/202...
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
Not surprised that it's community colleges that are fighting back. Community colleges serve the greatest number of people facing systemic barriers. A large percentage of community college students are the first in their family to attend college.
Calling historians, legal scholars, and constitutional studies crowd!
The State Constitutions Lab will hold our first seminar of the year with Adam Sopko (Wisconsin) on Feb 27 @ 1 PM (EST) to discuss his essay "The Supervisory Power of State Supreme Courts"
RSVP here: forms.gle/DL1DLb2tdfMj...
We’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
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
Judge Myers has remanded the case back to the NC Supreme Court.
In 1902, Oregon became the third state to enshrine direct democracy in its state constitution. Proponents argued that the initiative would keep power in the hands of the people. Voters agreed, ratifying the change with 92% in favor.
Learn more at 50constitutions.org/or
In 2022, New Mexico voters approved an amendment to fund early childhood education through the Land Grant Permanent Fund, which also funds New Mexico’s public school system.
Learn more at: 50constitutions.org/nm
NEW: What were the most significant state constitutional cases of 2024? Read answers from @leahlitman.bsky.social @miriamseifter.bsky.social @dbrodriguez.bsky.social @yeargain.bsky.social Erwin Chemerinsky & many more in @statecourtreport.bsky.social statecourtreport.org/our-work/ana...
The outcome of November's NC Supreme Court election is being litigated, with more than 60,000 votes being challenged. This explainer from SDRI’s @ewlau.bsky.social offers background on the dispute and how it made its way to court: statedemocracy.law.wisc.edu/featured/202...
This decision is eminently reasonable under the state constitution's unusually strong protections for the environment. It's a very different beast from federal climate lawsuits, rooted squarely in the text of Montana law and precedent. juddocumentservice.mt.gov/getDocByCTra...
