Alicia Bannon
@aliciabannon.bsky.social
Director of the Judiciary Program at the Brennan Center for Justice and Kohlberg Center on the U.S. Supreme Court. Editor-in-chief of State Court Report. All opinions are my own.
Reposted by Alicia Bannon
As we all wait for Callais to come down, our piece showing that Shelby County increased the racial turnout gap in most of the covered parts of the country has cleared the replication check and is incoming at JOP.
Gutting the VRA was bad, actually.
Gutting the VRA was bad, actually.
November 24, 2025 at 12:47 AM
As we all wait for Callais to come down, our piece showing that Shelby County increased the racial turnout gap in most of the covered parts of the country has cleared the replication check and is incoming at JOP.
Gutting the VRA was bad, actually.
Gutting the VRA was bad, actually.
Reposted by Alicia Bannon
NEW: Amid attacks on DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion), the need for representative state supreme courts is as urgent as ever. @cisozaki.bsky.social and Jamie Muth share key takeaways from their latest analysis of state supreme court diversity for @brennancenter.org.
Everyone Benefits When Judges Come from a Variety of Backgrounds
Amid attacks on “diversity, equity, and inclusion,” the need for representative state supreme courts is as urgent as ever.
statecourtreport.org
November 21, 2025 at 8:39 PM
NEW: Amid attacks on DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion), the need for representative state supreme courts is as urgent as ever. @cisozaki.bsky.social and Jamie Muth share key takeaways from their latest analysis of state supreme court diversity for @brennancenter.org.
NEW: I wrote for @statecourtreport.org about the important role *state* law plays in immigration enforcement, and some ongoing litigation in WI, NY, and CA that will shape the relationship between ICE and the states and localities in which it operates. statecourtreport.org/our-work/ana...
State Challenges to Immigration Enforcement Practices
Recent lawsuits in Wisconsin, New York, and California explore questions about the role of state law in federal immigration enforcement.
statecourtreport.org
November 20, 2025 at 8:55 PM
NEW: I wrote for @statecourtreport.org about the important role *state* law plays in immigration enforcement, and some ongoing litigation in WI, NY, and CA that will shape the relationship between ICE and the states and localities in which it operates. statecourtreport.org/our-work/ana...
Reposted by Alicia Bannon
If this reporting is right, it looks like that while Utah lawmakers are going to appeal rulings adopting a court-drawn congressional map, they aren’t going to try to change the map for the 2026 midterms.
kutv.com/news/local/u...
kutv.com/news/local/u...
Utah House Speaker says judge's timing 'tied our hands' on appeal of redistricting ruling
A week after a 3rd District Court ruling threw Utah’s congressional boundaries into turmoil, the rapid legal battle many expected has yet to materialize.The Hin
kutv.com
November 20, 2025 at 1:41 AM
If this reporting is right, it looks like that while Utah lawmakers are going to appeal rulings adopting a court-drawn congressional map, they aren’t going to try to change the map for the 2026 midterms.
kutv.com/news/local/u...
kutv.com/news/local/u...
Reposted by Alicia Bannon
State supreme courts are still overwhelmingly white & male
⚖️ 18 states: 0 justices of color
⚖️ 47 states + DC: 0 Native American justices
⚖️ 42 states: 0 Asian American justices
⚖️ 39 + DC: 0 Latino justices
⚖️ 24 states: 0 Black justices
New @brennancenter.org analysis below👇👇
⚖️ 18 states: 0 justices of color
⚖️ 47 states + DC: 0 Native American justices
⚖️ 42 states: 0 Asian American justices
⚖️ 39 + DC: 0 Latino justices
⚖️ 24 states: 0 Black justices
New @brennancenter.org analysis below👇👇
State Supreme Court Diversity - November 2025 Update
Many state supreme courts lack diversity in terms of their justices’ race, ethnicity, gender, and professional background.
www.brennancenter.org
November 18, 2025 at 7:47 PM
State supreme courts are still overwhelmingly white & male
⚖️ 18 states: 0 justices of color
⚖️ 47 states + DC: 0 Native American justices
⚖️ 42 states: 0 Asian American justices
⚖️ 39 + DC: 0 Latino justices
⚖️ 24 states: 0 Black justices
New @brennancenter.org analysis below👇👇
⚖️ 18 states: 0 justices of color
⚖️ 47 states + DC: 0 Native American justices
⚖️ 42 states: 0 Asian American justices
⚖️ 39 + DC: 0 Latino justices
⚖️ 24 states: 0 Black justices
New @brennancenter.org analysis below👇👇
Reposted by Alicia Bannon
NEW: Judge dismisses the Trump Admin's challenge to NY's Protect Our Courts Act, a law prohibiting immigration arrests at NY's courthouses!
This is an important response to those who say states can't hold ICE officers accountable to the law.
www.courtlistener.com/docket/70522...
This is an important response to those who say states can't hold ICE officers accountable to the law.
www.courtlistener.com/docket/70522...
Order on Motion to Dismiss for Failure to State a Claim – #66 in United States v. State of New York (N.D.N.Y., 1:25-cv-00744) – CourtListener.com
Order on Motion to Dismiss for Failure to State a Claim
www.courtlistener.com
November 18, 2025 at 1:35 AM
NEW: Judge dismisses the Trump Admin's challenge to NY's Protect Our Courts Act, a law prohibiting immigration arrests at NY's courthouses!
This is an important response to those who say states can't hold ICE officers accountable to the law.
www.courtlistener.com/docket/70522...
This is an important response to those who say states can't hold ICE officers accountable to the law.
www.courtlistener.com/docket/70522...
I had a lot of fun interviewing the three former chief justices of the Texas Supreme Court at the Texas Tribune Festival. We talked about the problems with partisan judicial elections, why public confidence in the courts is falling, and why access to justice is so important.
November 15, 2025 at 9:23 PM
I had a lot of fun interviewing the three former chief justices of the Texas Supreme Court at the Texas Tribune Festival. We talked about the problems with partisan judicial elections, why public confidence in the courts is falling, and why access to justice is so important.
Reposted by Alicia Bannon
@aliciabannon.bsky.social will be in conversation with the Texas Supreme Court's three most recent former chief justices
for @texastribune.org's #Tribfest2025 on Saturday, Nov. 15, 1-2pm CT: bit.ly/4i0gNQj
for @texastribune.org's #Tribfest2025 on Saturday, Nov. 15, 1-2pm CT: bit.ly/4i0gNQj
November 14, 2025 at 4:31 PM
@aliciabannon.bsky.social will be in conversation with the Texas Supreme Court's three most recent former chief justices
for @texastribune.org's #Tribfest2025 on Saturday, Nov. 15, 1-2pm CT: bit.ly/4i0gNQj
for @texastribune.org's #Tribfest2025 on Saturday, Nov. 15, 1-2pm CT: bit.ly/4i0gNQj
Reposted by Alicia Bannon
If you'll be in Austin for @texastribune.org's #Tribfest2025, don't miss @aliciabannon.bsky.social on stage and in conversation with the Texas Supreme Court's three most recent former chief justices. Saturday November 15, 1-2PM CT bit.ly/4i0gNQj
November 13, 2025 at 1:47 PM
If you'll be in Austin for @texastribune.org's #Tribfest2025, don't miss @aliciabannon.bsky.social on stage and in conversation with the Texas Supreme Court's three most recent former chief justices. Saturday November 15, 1-2PM CT bit.ly/4i0gNQj
Reposted by Alicia Bannon
NEW: State constitutions and state high courts are central in defining how, and by whom, elections are run — and who gets to participate in them. Check out @cisozaki.bsky.social’s Election Day 2025 edition of our series on state constitutional trends.
Case Trends: State Courts Shape the Right to Vote
State high courts continue to settle disputes over voting and election processes, including obstacles to by-mail voting — and to define the right to vote under their own constitutions.
statecourtreport.org
November 4, 2025 at 6:08 PM
NEW: State constitutions and state high courts are central in defining how, and by whom, elections are run — and who gets to participate in them. Check out @cisozaki.bsky.social’s Election Day 2025 edition of our series on state constitutional trends.
Reposted by Alicia Bannon
Have questions about voting? Need to find your polling place? VOTE411 gives you personalized information so you're prepared to cast a ballot in every election. www.vote411.org
VOTE411
Election information you need. Brought to you by The League of Women Voters Education Fund.
www.vote411.org
November 4, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Have questions about voting? Need to find your polling place? VOTE411 gives you personalized information so you're prepared to cast a ballot in every election. www.vote411.org
Reposted by Alicia Bannon
NEW: Programs meant to protect the vulnerable from poverty & housing insecurity are often challenged by landlords claiming they're unconstitutional takings of private property. But state courts have largely rejected these claims. @uwlawdemocracy.bsky.social's @bridgetlavender.bsky.social explains:
Resistance to Public Policies Assisting the Poor
Property owners have challenged programs meant to assist vulnerable populations, alleging they are unconstitutional takings of private property for public use.
statecourtreport.org
November 3, 2025 at 10:04 PM
NEW: Programs meant to protect the vulnerable from poverty & housing insecurity are often challenged by landlords claiming they're unconstitutional takings of private property. But state courts have largely rejected these claims. @uwlawdemocracy.bsky.social's @bridgetlavender.bsky.social explains:
Illinois CLE has been approved for in-person attendees! Don't miss The Power of State Constitutional Rights symposium this Thursday and Friday (Nov. 6-7) at Northwestern Law. Register below!
There is still time to register for The Power of State Constitutional Rights! Well be discussing democracy, LGBTQ+ rights & more. Watch in person at Northwestern Law in Chicago or virtually. Free & open to the public, IL CLE pending for in-person participants. www.brennancenter.org/events/power...
The Power of State Constitutional Rights
Judges, practitioners, and scholars explore critical issues facing state courts and constitutions.
www.brennancenter.org
November 3, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Illinois CLE has been approved for in-person attendees! Don't miss The Power of State Constitutional Rights symposium this Thursday and Friday (Nov. 6-7) at Northwestern Law. Register below!
There is still time to register for The Power of State Constitutional Rights! Well be discussing democracy, LGBTQ+ rights & more. Watch in person at Northwestern Law in Chicago or virtually. Free & open to the public, IL CLE pending for in-person participants. www.brennancenter.org/events/power...
The Power of State Constitutional Rights
Judges, practitioners, and scholars explore critical issues facing state courts and constitutions.
www.brennancenter.org
October 30, 2025 at 1:27 PM
There is still time to register for The Power of State Constitutional Rights! Well be discussing democracy, LGBTQ+ rights & more. Watch in person at Northwestern Law in Chicago or virtually. Free & open to the public, IL CLE pending for in-person participants. www.brennancenter.org/events/power...
NEW: Looking for a cheat sheet about the Maryland Constitution? Appellate Court of Maryland Judge Dan Friedman gives a great overview of its history, unique provisions, and amendment history. Part of @statecourtreport.org's ongoing essay series. statecourtreport.org/our-work/ana...
The Maryland Constitution: One of the Nation’s Oldest, Was a Model for Other States
The state’s current constitution was adopted during the Reconstruction Era as a reactionary effort to re-establish pre-Civil War government.
statecourtreport.org
October 28, 2025 at 5:50 PM
NEW: Looking for a cheat sheet about the Maryland Constitution? Appellate Court of Maryland Judge Dan Friedman gives a great overview of its history, unique provisions, and amendment history. Part of @statecourtreport.org's ongoing essay series. statecourtreport.org/our-work/ana...
Reposted by Alicia Bannon
Next week, voters in six states will consider ballot measures regarding redistricting, voting, gun laws, parental rights, taxes, and more. @erings.bsky.social breaks down key measures we're tracking, including CA's Prop 50, which could impact control of the US House after the 2026 elections.
2025 Ballot Measures to Watch
Voters will decide whether to amend their state constitutions or statutes regarding redistricting, voting, firearm access, parental rights, taxes, and more.
statecourtreport.org
October 27, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Next week, voters in six states will consider ballot measures regarding redistricting, voting, gun laws, parental rights, taxes, and more. @erings.bsky.social breaks down key measures we're tracking, including CA's Prop 50, which could impact control of the US House after the 2026 elections.
Reposted by Alicia Bannon
When it comes to critiquing the U.S. Supreme Court, "today’s state court opinions may signal a new generation of contestation." @aliciabannon.bsky.social explains how state high court judges' unique institutional posture empowers them to call out SCOTUS more sharply than their federal counterparts.
State Judges Target the U.S. Supreme Court
A justice in Washington concurred in a recent opinion but dissented “from the racism embedded in the federal case law that applies to this dispute.”
statecourtreport.org
October 24, 2025 at 6:37 PM
When it comes to critiquing the U.S. Supreme Court, "today’s state court opinions may signal a new generation of contestation." @aliciabannon.bsky.social explains how state high court judges' unique institutional posture empowers them to call out SCOTUS more sharply than their federal counterparts.
NEW: I wrote about recent cases in WA and HI where state judges condemned SCOTUS opinions (both old and new). It's an example of how different institutional actors can play a role in defining the meaning of the Constitution & other federal laws. statecourtreport.org/our-work/ana...
State Judges Target the U.S. Supreme Court
A justice in Washington concurred in a recent opinion but dissented “from the racism embedded in the federal case law that applies to this dispute.”
statecourtreport.org
October 24, 2025 at 4:14 PM
NEW: I wrote about recent cases in WA and HI where state judges condemned SCOTUS opinions (both old and new). It's an example of how different institutional actors can play a role in defining the meaning of the Constitution & other federal laws. statecourtreport.org/our-work/ana...
Looking to keep tabs on SCOTUS shadow docket cases related to the Trump administration? @brennancenter.org has you covered! Our new tracker follows emergency docket applications related to Trump admin actions. SCOTUS has sided w/ the admin 85%+ of the time. www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
Supreme Court Shadow Docket Tracker — Challenges to Trump Administration Actions
The Court is ruling on challenges to government actions on its emergency docket, often without explaining its decisions or providing guidance to lower courts.
www.brennancenter.org
October 22, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Looking to keep tabs on SCOTUS shadow docket cases related to the Trump administration? @brennancenter.org has you covered! Our new tracker follows emergency docket applications related to Trump admin actions. SCOTUS has sided w/ the admin 85%+ of the time. www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
Super-important point: The president has no constitutional authority over federal election administration. It’s state & local governments that primarily set rules for how elections are run. Learn more in this @statecourtreport.org explainer. statecourtreport.org/our-work/ana...
States, Not the President, Run Elections in America
The administration’s attempts to undermine or interfere with elections run afoul of constitutional delegations of responsibility.
statecourtreport.org
October 21, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Super-important point: The president has no constitutional authority over federal election administration. It’s state & local governments that primarily set rules for how elections are run. Learn more in this @statecourtreport.org explainer. statecourtreport.org/our-work/ana...
NEW: Voters in six states will consider ballot measures this November. @erings.bsky.social shares what you need to know about what's on the ballot in @statecourtreport.org.
statecourtreport.org/our-work/ana...
statecourtreport.org/our-work/ana...
2025 Ballot Measures to Watch
Voters will decide whether to amend their state constitutions or statutes regarding redistricting, voting, firearm access, parental rights, taxes, and more.
statecourtreport.org
October 20, 2025 at 9:41 PM
NEW: Voters in six states will consider ballot measures this November. @erings.bsky.social shares what you need to know about what's on the ballot in @statecourtreport.org.
statecourtreport.org/our-work/ana...
statecourtreport.org/our-work/ana...
Reposted by Alicia Bannon
Three Pennsylvania Supreme Court justices will face an up or down vote next month in an election whose outcome will likely impact the midterms. @douglaskeith.bsky.social explains everything you need to know about the high-stakes judicial race.
Everything You Need to Know About Next Month’s High-Stakes Supreme Court Elections in Pennsylvania
Three justices will face an up or down vote in November, the outcome of which is likely to impact the midterms.
statecourtreport.org
October 17, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Three Pennsylvania Supreme Court justices will face an up or down vote next month in an election whose outcome will likely impact the midterms. @douglaskeith.bsky.social explains everything you need to know about the high-stakes judicial race.
We have a FANTASTIC lineup for our symposium on Nov 6-7 on The Power of State Constitutional Rights. Come in person to Northwestern Law School or watch online. You can see the agenda and register here! brennan.swoogo.com/stateconstit...
October 16, 2025 at 1:07 PM
We have a FANTASTIC lineup for our symposium on Nov 6-7 on The Power of State Constitutional Rights. Come in person to Northwestern Law School or watch online. You can see the agenda and register here! brennan.swoogo.com/stateconstit...
I'm excited to moderate a panel at the Texas Tribune Festival on Nov. 15 with three former chief justices of the Texas Supreme Court. Come check it out if you're in Austin!
What do former Texas justices think about the state of courts?
@aliciabannon.bsky.social will host a panel with three chief justices on the state of the courts in Texas for the @texastribune.org Festival. Register to attend on November 15 at 1pm:
@aliciabannon.bsky.social will host a panel with three chief justices on the state of the courts in Texas for the @texastribune.org Festival. Register to attend on November 15 at 1pm:
The 2025 Texas Tribune Festival
The 2025 Texas Tribune Festival, which will be held Nov. 13-15 in downtown Austin, is a celebration of big, bold ideas about politics and public policy, featuring conversations with the leaders and in...
www.texastribune.org
October 15, 2025 at 1:52 PM
I'm excited to moderate a panel at the Texas Tribune Festival on Nov. 15 with three former chief justices of the Texas Supreme Court. Come check it out if you're in Austin!
Reposted by Alicia Bannon
Check out the second piece in my new "case trends" series for @statecourtreport.org, where I explore state constitutional developments in the repro/trans rights space.
NEW: "With the federal vacuum forcing states to chart their own course, state courts are increasingly drawing on their distinctive constitutional history and culture to shape the future of reproductive and trans rights.” @cisozaki.bsky.social looks at case trends post-Dobbs and Skrmetti.
Case Trends: Post-Dobbs and Skrmetti, State Courts Are Battlegrounds for Transgender and Reproductive Rights
State courts are leaning on their unique state constitutional provisions, departing from federal precedent, and deciding who can challenge restrictive laws.
statecourtreport.org
October 13, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Check out the second piece in my new "case trends" series for @statecourtreport.org, where I explore state constitutional developments in the repro/trans rights space.