Erin Geiger Smith
@erings.bsky.social
Journalist. Author of Thank You for Voting (adult + kids editions) @thankyouforvoting on Insta.
Love this Q&A by @kendallverhovek.bsky.social
"For every election, we do a run-through. We program the ballots, scan them, and test every single voting machine and every ballot."
I interviewed Tonya Wichman, the elections director in Defiance County, Ohio about the long road to election day www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
I interviewed Tonya Wichman, the elections director in Defiance County, Ohio about the long road to election day www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
The Long Road to Election Day
Tonya Wichman, the elections director in a small Ohio county, discusses the preparation and training that goes into administering an election.
www.brennancenter.org
October 29, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Love this Q&A by @kendallverhovek.bsky.social
Reposted by Erin Geiger Smith
Welcome to the final weekday of the federal judiciary being able to fully sustain paid operations during the shutdown. Furloughs likely next week.
October 17, 2025 at 11:31 AM
Welcome to the final weekday of the federal judiciary being able to fully sustain paid operations during the shutdown. Furloughs likely next week.
There’s the Booker Prize, the Pulitzer … then there’s your book being used as punishment in a voter fraud case!
A Michigan woman who voted for Trump twice has to read Thank You for Voting as part of her plea deal. www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/local/i...
A Michigan woman who voted for Trump twice has to read Thank You for Voting as part of her plea deal. www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/local/i...
Itasca County woman pleads guilty to voter fraud
The 51-year-old admitted to filling out a ballot in the name of her mother, an “avid Donald Trump supporter,” who died before she could vote for him in the 2024 election.
www.duluthnewstribune.com
October 17, 2025 at 11:46 AM
There’s the Booker Prize, the Pulitzer … then there’s your book being used as punishment in a voter fraud case!
A Michigan woman who voted for Trump twice has to read Thank You for Voting as part of her plea deal. www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/local/i...
A Michigan woman who voted for Trump twice has to read Thank You for Voting as part of her plea deal. www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/local/i...
A good thing for increasing voter turnout for county and town elections.
📢ICYMI: Today, the New York Court of Appeals unanimously upheld a state law moving many county and town elections outside of New York City to even-numbered years. This is a huge win for New York’s democracy. www.brennancenter.org/our-work/ana...
New York Court of Appeals Rules State’s Even-Year Election Law Constitutional
Today the New York Court of Appeals unanimously upheld a 2023 state law moving many county and town elections outside of New York City from odd to even-numbered years.
www.brennancenter.org
October 16, 2025 at 8:30 PM
A good thing for increasing voter turnout for county and town elections.
I'm very excited about this panel @sxswedu.com! This group has so much to share about how how state constitutions protect and empower young people.
Hear from state constitution super-users @erings.bsky.social, Celina Stewart (@lwvus.bsky.social), @harperseldin.bsky.social (@aclu.org), and Julia Olson (@youthvgov.bsky.social), as they demonstrate how dynamic learning about state constitutions can be in their SXSW EDU Featured Session.
October 2, 2025 at 3:43 PM
I'm very excited about this panel @sxswedu.com! This group has so much to share about how how state constitutions protect and empower young people.
👏🏼 👏🏼 👏🏼 @lawrencehurley.bsky.social for this important story.
This is a remarkable article. Federal judges are increasingly speaking out against SCOTUS’s approach to the shadow docket. This isn't typical & underscores the impossible position for lower courts when SCOTUS makes new law on its emergency docket – especially when it doesn’t explain its rulings. /1
🚨EXCLUSIVE:
Federal judges tell NBC News the Supreme Court has got to do a better job of explaining emergency rulings, with frequent decisions in favor of Trump at least appearing to validate harsh criticism of the judiciary at a time of rising threats:
www.nbcnews.com/politics/sup...
Federal judges tell NBC News the Supreme Court has got to do a better job of explaining emergency rulings, with frequent decisions in favor of Trump at least appearing to validate harsh criticism of the judiciary at a time of rising threats:
www.nbcnews.com/politics/sup...
September 4, 2025 at 4:16 PM
👏🏼 👏🏼 👏🏼 @lawrencehurley.bsky.social for this important story.
Have you voted yet for our @statecourtreport.org SXSW EDU (proposed) panel? We've lined up an all-star group: @lwvus.bsky.social CEO Celina Stewart, @aclu.org's Harper Seldin, and @youthvgov.bsky.social's Julia Olson. But we need your vote! THANK YOU FOR VOTING! participate.sxsw.com/flow/sxsw/sx...
PanelPicker | SXSW Conference & Festivals
PanelPicker® is the official SXSW user-generated session proposal platform. Enter ideas and vote to help shape Conference programming for SXSW and SXSW EDU.
participate.sxsw.com
August 12, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Have you voted yet for our @statecourtreport.org SXSW EDU (proposed) panel? We've lined up an all-star group: @lwvus.bsky.social CEO Celina Stewart, @aclu.org's Harper Seldin, and @youthvgov.bsky.social's Julia Olson. But we need your vote! THANK YOU FOR VOTING! participate.sxsw.com/flow/sxsw/sx...
Reposted by Erin Geiger Smith
ICYMI: Michigan Supreme Court Justice Richard Bernstein spoke with @statecourtreport.org's @erings.bsky.social about disability rights and his experience as the court's first blind justice. statecourtreport.org/our-work/ana...
Michigan Supreme Court Justice Richard Bernstein Discusses Disability Rights
Bernstein, the court’s first blind justice, travels the world promoting access and equality for disabled people.
statecourtreport.org
July 28, 2025 at 8:14 PM
ICYMI: Michigan Supreme Court Justice Richard Bernstein spoke with @statecourtreport.org's @erings.bsky.social about disability rights and his experience as the court's first blind justice. statecourtreport.org/our-work/ana...
Reposted by Erin Geiger Smith
Why did I write about state court pushback to the Dred Scott decision? Because President Trump’s January 2025 Executive Order directly cited the Dred Scott decision when he took aim at birthright citizenship. And we could see state courts pushback against the Supreme Court again. I'll explain. /1
NEW: Many of SCOTUS's recent rulings have been criticized for their apparent bias and politicization. @marceliusb.bsky.social dives into the history of state court pushback against the 1857 Dred Scott ruling denying Black Americans citizenship to show how SCOTUS doesn't always have the final say.
How State Courts Pushed Back on an Infamous U.S. Supreme Court Case
Dred Scott, widely considered a stain on the U.S. Supreme Court’s history, denied citizenship to Black Americans in 1857. Many state supreme courts refused to follow it.
statecourtreport.org
July 23, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Why did I write about state court pushback to the Dred Scott decision? Because President Trump’s January 2025 Executive Order directly cited the Dred Scott decision when he took aim at birthright citizenship. And we could see state courts pushback against the Supreme Court again. I'll explain. /1
Reposted by Erin Geiger Smith
NEW: Check out @erings.bsky.social's interview with Michigan Supreme Court Justice Richard Bernstein, the state's first blind justice, where they discussed his serving as a supreme court justice with a disability, the importance of empathy, advice he wished he’d gotten as a law student, and more.
Michigan Supreme Court Justice Richard Bernstein Discusses Disability Rights
Bernstein, the court’s first blind justice, travels the world promoting access and equality for disabled people.
statecourtreport.org
July 21, 2025 at 7:27 PM
NEW: Check out @erings.bsky.social's interview with Michigan Supreme Court Justice Richard Bernstein, the state's first blind justice, where they discussed his serving as a supreme court justice with a disability, the importance of empathy, advice he wished he’d gotten as a law student, and more.
Reposted by Erin Geiger Smith
The U.S. government is building a sweeping digital surveillance dragnet that turns social media into a tool for monitoring, screening, and enforcement. A single post can follow someone from abroad, at the border, and into every stage of life on U.S. soil. 1/9 www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
The Government’s Growing Trove of Social Media Data
It’s increasingly collecting and using social media information to make high-stakes decisions related to immigration.
www.brennancenter.org
July 21, 2025 at 3:42 PM
The U.S. government is building a sweeping digital surveillance dragnet that turns social media into a tool for monitoring, screening, and enforcement. A single post can follow someone from abroad, at the border, and into every stage of life on U.S. soil. 1/9 www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
Today at 3: Watch @brennancenter.org @statecourtreport.bsky.social panel with all-star education experts discussing this case and other Trump administration education actions, and how states can respond. RSVP here: www.brennancenter.org/events/troub...
July 15, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Today at 3: Watch @brennancenter.org @statecourtreport.bsky.social panel with all-star education experts discussing this case and other Trump administration education actions, and how states can respond. RSVP here: www.brennancenter.org/events/troub...
Seems like a good time to mention @brennancenter.org and @statecourtreport.bsky.social are hosting a free virtual event tomorrow on how states are handling the roller coaster of education cuts and changes. Excellent panelists! RSVP here: www.brennancenter.org/events/troub...
July 14, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Seems like a good time to mention @brennancenter.org and @statecourtreport.bsky.social are hosting a free virtual event tomorrow on how states are handling the roller coaster of education cuts and changes. Excellent panelists! RSVP here: www.brennancenter.org/events/troub...
Reposted by Erin Geiger Smith
BREAKING: The Wisconsin Supreme Court said today that an 1849 ‘zombie’ law does not ban abortions, contrary to arguments by state Republicans. During oral arguments, one justice said attempts to apply the 175-year-old law in the present day was a sign of "a world gone mad."
Wisconsin Justices Appear Hostile to 175-Year-Old Abortion Law
The dispute over whether the 1849 law bans nearly all abortions in the state is a sign of a “world gone mad,” one justice said.
statecourtreport.org
July 2, 2025 at 1:54 PM
BREAKING: The Wisconsin Supreme Court said today that an 1849 ‘zombie’ law does not ban abortions, contrary to arguments by state Republicans. During oral arguments, one justice said attempts to apply the 175-year-old law in the present day was a sign of "a world gone mad."
Reposted by Erin Geiger Smith
Today SCOTUS limited the scope of court orders (called injunctions) blocking Trump’s birthright citizenship order. To be clear, Trump's order is plainly unconstitutional & courts continue to have the power to stop its enforcement. /1
First #SCOTUS ruling today is birthright citizenship.
Justice Barrett, for a 6-3 majority (with the three Dem. appointees dissenting) holds that universal injunctions are only appropriate when necessary to provide "complete" relief to parties, and stays these injunctions insofar as they go further:
Justice Barrett, for a 6-3 majority (with the three Dem. appointees dissenting) holds that universal injunctions are only appropriate when necessary to provide "complete" relief to parties, and stays these injunctions insofar as they go further:
www.supremecourt.gov
June 27, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Today SCOTUS limited the scope of court orders (called injunctions) blocking Trump’s birthright citizenship order. To be clear, Trump's order is plainly unconstitutional & courts continue to have the power to stop its enforcement. /1
Thank You for Voting came out five years ago today.
June 23, 2025 at 11:44 AM
Thank You for Voting came out five years ago today.
Reposted by Erin Geiger Smith
A federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) requiring Trump to return control of the National Guard to CA Governor Newsom. The order is accompanied by a powerful opinion that affirms the rule of law, separation of powers, and the First Amendment. 1/23
June 13, 2025 at 4:18 AM
A federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) requiring Trump to return control of the National Guard to CA Governor Newsom. The order is accompanied by a powerful opinion that affirms the rule of law, separation of powers, and the First Amendment. 1/23
Congrats to the team at Borgo, which is brand new but manages to feel like it’s been open forever. An absolute stand out in NYC.
Of course, there are more than 100 amazing restaurants in New York. But these best answered: Where would we send our friends? Which places are worth a splurge? Here's the full list of the 100 best restaurants in New York City: trib.al/pjfiyQq
June 3, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Congrats to the team at Borgo, which is brand new but manages to feel like it’s been open forever. An absolute stand out in NYC.
I’ve edited several essays in this series, and it’s fascinating (and fun even) to learn the history and quirks. Montana’s is/was particularly unique.
Did you know state constitutions can be even more protective of our rights than the US Constitution? We’ve asked an expert from each state to dive into their constitution, narrate its history, identify its quirks, and summarize its most essential components for our readers. Learn about yours here:
Series: Exploring State Constitutions
statecourtreport.org
June 2, 2025 at 8:24 PM
I’ve edited several essays in this series, and it’s fascinating (and fun even) to learn the history and quirks. Montana’s is/was particularly unique.
Reposted by Erin Geiger Smith
Breaking News: A judge ruled that President Trump’s order targeting WilmerHale, a law firm associated with his political opposition, was unconstitutional.
Judge Strikes Down Trump Order Targeting WilmerHale
www.nytimes.com
May 27, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Breaking News: A judge ruled that President Trump’s order targeting WilmerHale, a law firm associated with his political opposition, was unconstitutional.
A beautifully written story of complicated facts and feelings. By @bernstein.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/2025/05/20/m...
My Father Prosecuted History’s Crimes. Then He Died in One.
www.nytimes.com
May 24, 2025 at 4:48 PM
A beautifully written story of complicated facts and feelings. By @bernstein.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/2025/05/20/m...
On Friday, the NC Supreme Court allowed a major control shift over state election administration to stand, at least for now, despite a trial court finding the change is unconstitutional. @brennancenter.org's Justin Lam explained why this power grab matters. statecourtreport.org/our-work/ana...
North Carolina Court Enables a Partisan Shift on State Elections Board
The court approved a law to strip the governor’s election board powers, risking creating a precedent for partisan power-grabbing.
statecourtreport.org
May 24, 2025 at 1:08 PM
On Friday, the NC Supreme Court allowed a major control shift over state election administration to stand, at least for now, despite a trial court finding the change is unconstitutional. @brennancenter.org's Justin Lam explained why this power grab matters. statecourtreport.org/our-work/ana...
Reposted by Erin Geiger Smith
Today @hankjohnson.house.gov introduced the TERM Act—a bill to create 18-year term limits for Supreme Court justices. The bottom line is this: no one should hold too much power for too long. 1/
May 21, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Today @hankjohnson.house.gov introduced the TERM Act—a bill to create 18-year term limits for Supreme Court justices. The bottom line is this: no one should hold too much power for too long. 1/
Things I learned: The Ohio Constitution is one of the nation’s oldest, but events in the last few years — repro rights fights, gerrymandering, questionable state supreme court decisions — have kept this 1851 doc in the news cycle.
NEW: Our latest essay spotlighting state constitutions comes from Steven Steinglass, who dives deep into the history that shaped the Ohio Constitution—including major events in 2023 and 2024—and the uncertainty of its future.
The Ohio Constitution: Its History and Its Future
Recent amendments, and fights against them, demonstrate the importance of the state constitution.
statecourtreport.org
May 21, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Things I learned: The Ohio Constitution is one of the nation’s oldest, but events in the last few years — repro rights fights, gerrymandering, questionable state supreme court decisions — have kept this 1851 doc in the news cycle.
I wrote about Allison Riggs in my 2020 book Thank You for Voting when she was arguing for voters’ rights at SCOTUS. Five years later, she spent six months demanding votes in her race for NC Supreme Court be counted. She won.
NEW: "You can’t change the rules after an election." In a win for voters, the six-month dispute over the NC Supreme Court election ended yesterday with Griffin's concession to Riggs. @erings.bsky.social discusses the details and stakes of dispute:
Griffin Concedes to Riggs, Ending Six-Month Dispute Over North Carolina Supreme Court Election
The concession follows a federal court decision Monday denying Griffin’s efforts to throw out votes cast in the 2024 election and saying the election must be certified.
statecourtreport.org
May 10, 2025 at 2:22 PM
I wrote about Allison Riggs in my 2020 book Thank You for Voting when she was arguing for voters’ rights at SCOTUS. Five years later, she spent six months demanding votes in her race for NC Supreme Court be counted. She won.