Election 2024
This year, Americans will vote not just for President and members of Congress, but for state and local officials who will affect their day-to-day lives, including state judges and supreme court justices. What’s more, voters will have the opportunity to amend their state constitutions by voting on ballot measures touching on issues including abortion, taxes, and criminal justice.
State courts and constitutions play an important role in elections at all levels. They will settle questions related to ballot access, voting processes, election challenges, and more. State Court Report will cover the role of state courts and constitutions in the 2024 elections, drawing attention to key state supreme court races, highlighting state constitutional provisions that impact election administration, demystifying state-specific election processes — and much more.
Filters
Former Ohio Chief Justice on Democracy, Gerrymandering, and Ukraine
In an interview, retired Ohio Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor spoke about her push for citizen-led redistricting in Ohio and recent trips to Ukraine advising on fair courts.
How Years of Legislative Maneuvering Shaped this Year’s Judicial Elections
The outcomes in races in Ohio and North Carolina will be determined in part by legislatures that altered election rules to benefit their allies.
Threats to State Constitutional Abortion Protections
Even where voters pass abortion rights amendments, lawmakers and judges can undermine rights.
State Court Oral Arguments to Watch for in October
Issues on the dockets include mail-in voting, line-item vetoes, and life-without-parole sentences.
The U.S. Supreme Court's Declining State Case Docket
So far, only 2 out of 28 cases on the high court’s docket arise from state courts, a surprisingly low number given the regularity with which state courts hear cases implicating federal rights.
A Michigan Prosecutor on the Importance of State Judicial Elections
State courts, including lower courts, decide issues critical to the communities they serve, but judicial races are too frequently overlooked.
To Prevent Chaos and Confusion, Judges Must Prepare for Election Emergencies
In advance of the election, judges should educate themselves on election administration and develop emergency response procedures that will enable creation of effective remedies.
California’s Constitution Is For the People
One of the nation’s most influential constitutions, California’s charter protects direct democracy, limits taxation, and secures individual liberty.