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Hilo Bay Marina v. State of Hawaii
The Hawaii Supreme Court will decide whether a 100-year-old deed restriction requiring that property sold to the Mormon Church be used “for church purposes only” violates the Hawaii Constitution’s religious freedom clause, the First Amendment, or state statute.
Parrish v. State of Florida
The Florida Supreme Court will resolve a split among the state’s appellate courts over whether a trial judge’s choice not to impose a sentence that falls below the statutory range for the crime — known as a “downward departure” — is appealable by a defendant.
Albence v. Mennella
The Delaware Supreme Court will decide the constitutionality of a 2019 law permitting early in-person voting “at least 10 days before an election," and a 2010 statute allowing some voters who are already eligible to vote absentee to apply for permanent absentee status.
Legislative Efforts to Abolish Qualified Immunity Yield Mixed Results
Colorado and New Mexico have enacted laws to hold police and other officials accountable for state constitutional violations, while other states have broadened immunities.
State Constitutional Conventions Explained
The nation’s first constitutional convention in decades may take place in Louisiana this summer.
State ex rel. Dudley v. Yost
Plaintiffs filed a petition for writ of mandamus claiming the state attorney general overstepped his authority when he failed to certify a ballot initiative related to automatic voter registration and other voting-related processes.
Bouvier v. Porter
Held that attorneys who assisted voters in filing allegations of voter fraud in a state election in 2016 were shielded from defamation claims
New Findings Highlight Lack of Diversity on State Supreme Courts
More data and further scholarship is needed to devise policies for promoting a state bench that adequately represents the varied background of the public.
Chihiro Isozaki
Chihiro Isozaki is a counsel in the Democracy Program at the Brennan Center for Justice.
The Search and Seizure Law of State Constitutions
Massachusetts is on the front lines of a movement toward independent state constitutional rights.