Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Miriam Seifter @miriamseifter.bsky.social · Aug 21

Including work by @nbagley.bsky.social @maureenebrady.com, @derekclinger.bsky.social, @carolinemalacorbin.bsky.social, @keichensehr.bsky.social, @marcusagadson.bsky.social, @bgodar.bsky.social, @profschleich.bsky.social, @adamsopko.bsky.social, @lindsaywiley.bsky.social @yeargain.bsky.social + more!

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Miriam Seifter @miriamseifter.bsky.social · Aug 21

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

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Reposted by Miriam Seifter

State Democracy Research Initiative @uwlawdemocracy.bsky.social · Aug 8

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

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Reposted by Miriam Seifter

State Democracy Research Initiative @uwlawdemocracy.bsky.social · Jul 2

New: The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that an 1849 law on abortion was impliedly repealed by later abortion legislation, so it no longer operates as a ban on abortion.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...

www.wicourts.gov

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Reposted by Miriam Seifter

Alicia Bannon @aliciabannon.bsky.social · Apr 29

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

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Reposted by Miriam Seifter

State Democracy Research Initiative @uwlawdemocracy.bsky.social · Apr 15

📣 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

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Reposted by Miriam Seifter

Bryna Godar @bgodar.bsky.social · Mar 7

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

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Reposted by Miriam Seifter

Maria Ponomarenko @mariaponomarenko.bsky.social · Mar 6

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...

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Miriam Seifter @miriamseifter.bsky.social · Mar 6

Still time to apply for our open positions at SDRI — please share widely!

State Democracy Research Initiative @uwlawdemocracy.bsky.social · Mar 4

We're hiring! There's still time to apply for our open positions! Deadline is March 16.

State Democracy Research Initiative @uwlawdemocracy.bsky.social · Feb 14

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

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Reposted by Miriam Seifter

Alicia Bannon @aliciabannon.bsky.social · Mar 3

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

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Reposted by Miriam Seifter

Kasia Szymborski Wolfkot @kasiawolfkot.bsky.social · Feb 26

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

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Miriam Seifter @miriamseifter.bsky.social · Feb 17

Come work with our amazing team!

State Democracy Research Initiative @uwlawdemocracy.bsky.social · Feb 14

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

Legal Director - State Democracy Research Initiative - Madison, Wisconsin, United States

Job Summary: The Legal Director's precise portfolio can be tailored to their interests and experience, but we anticipate that their work will primarily involve guiding our amicus brief strategy and ...

go.wisc.edu

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Reposted by Miriam Seifter

Wilfred Codrington III @wuc3.bsky.social · Feb 14

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 · Feb 14

Please 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!

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Reposted by Miriam Seifter

State Democracy Research Initiative @uwlawdemocracy.bsky.social · Feb 10

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

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Miriam Seifter @miriamseifter.bsky.social · Feb 6

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.

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Reposted by Miriam Seifter

Alicia Bannon @aliciabannon.bsky.social · Jan 15

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

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Reposted by Miriam Seifter

Kasia Szymborski Wolfkot @kasiawolfkot.bsky.social · Dec 20

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

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Miriam Seifter @miriamseifter.bsky.social · Dec 11

Check out the latest features on 50constitutions.org, and follow @uwlawdemocracy.bsky.social for more updates!

State Democracy Research Initiative @uwlawdemocracy.bsky.social · Dec 11

🚨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!)

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Reposted by Miriam Seifter

Rob Yablon @robyablon.bsky.social · Dec 10

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 · Dec 9

ELB Book Corner: Robert Yablon, “The Campaign Industry,” in The Oxford Handbook of American Election Law (Oxford University Press 2024). electionlawblog.org?p=147655

ELB Book Corner: Robert Yablon, “The Campaign Industry,” in The Oxford Handbook of American Election Law (Oxford University Press 2024). #ELB

I am very pleased to welcome to ELB Book Corner several contributors to The Oxford Handbook of American Election Law (Eugene D. Mazo ed. 2024). The 30% discount code for ELB readers is ALAUTHC4. The s...

electionlawblog.org

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Miriam Seifter @miriamseifter.bsky.social · Nov 22

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

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Reposted by Miriam Seifter

State Democracy Research Initiative @uwlawdemocracy.bsky.social · Dec 22

Wisconsin Supreme Court strikes down current legislative maps as violating the WI Constitution’s contiguity requirement.

www.wicourts.gov/sc/opinion/D...

www.wicourts.gov

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Miriam Seifter @miriamseifter.bsky.social · Dec 15

So many terrific essays in this special issue—check them out!

State Democracy Research Initiative @uwlawdemocracy.bsky.social · Dec 14

📣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.

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Reposted by Miriam Seifter

State Democracy Research Initiative @uwlawdemocracy.bsky.social · Nov 8

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

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Reposted by Miriam Seifter

State Democracy Research Initiative @uwlawdemocracy.bsky.social · Nov 7

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

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Reposted by Miriam Seifter

State Democracy Research Initiative @uwlawdemocracy.bsky.social · Nov 3

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

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