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Why State Constitutions Matter on Election Day
Two new explainers examine voting rights under state constitutions and how state courts oversee ballot initiatives.
Florida Supreme Court to Decide Whether Marijuana Legalization Can Be Put to Voters
The interplay between state and federal drug laws is at the center of the case.
Kentucky Supreme Court Strikes Down Law Meant to Steer Cases Away from ‘Liberal’ Judges
The court held that a law allowing parties to change venue in certain cases violated state constitutional separation of powers principles.
How Courts Oversee Ballot Initiatives
State courts — and to some degree federal courts — play a significant role in every stage of the direct democracy process.
North Dakota Budget Bill Struck Down as Violation of ‘Single Subject’ Constitutional Rule
The state supreme court relied on a seldom-used state constitutional provision to upend a long-standing state legislative practice.
Interview: The Movement Toward ‘Green Amendments’ in State Constitutions
The founder of Green Amendments For The Generations, Maya van Rossum, discusses the impact of enshrining environmental rights in state constitutions.
Judicial Deference to Agency Expertise in the States
Almost all state courts recognize the importance of agencies’ expertise in policymaking.
The Contentious History Behind New York City’s Right to Shelter
New York State’s high court has yet to define the scope of the right to shelter, which comes from a Depression-era amendment to the state constitution.
The Stakes in Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court Election
The outcome could have big implications for abortion rights, elections, and more.
Voting Rights Under State Constitutions, Explained
All but one state constitution affirmatively establishes a right to vote.
