Nate Ela
@nateela.bsky.social
Law prof + sociologist thinking and writing about property, land, cities, democracy, sometimes Philly. Posts ≠ speaking for the institution where I work (obvs).
nateela.net | SSRN: bit.ly/ElaSSRN
(Views are mine, not those of any institution.)
nateela.net | SSRN: bit.ly/ElaSSRN
(Views are mine, not those of any institution.)
Pinned
Nate Ela
@nateela.bsky.social
· Nov 15
A Path to Multiparty Democracy
Americans are sick of the two-party system. Yet in almost every state, a crucial ballot access restriction denies them any meaningful alternative. A century ago
papers.ssrn.com
Here’s a piece on how we could get from here to multiparty democracy in the U-S-A, via state courts. Revising some this month, all ears 👂if you have thoughts… papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
Well drat. In the time it took me to write this, the Birds scored. So much for that.
As a good conflict avoidant, passive-aggressive Wisconsinite now living in Philly it is my sincere hope that the Eagles and Packers game continues to be scoreless and ends in a tie. This is the only sure path to victory, I hope all can agree.
November 11, 2025 at 3:06 AM
Well drat. In the time it took me to write this, the Birds scored. So much for that.
As a good conflict avoidant, passive-aggressive Wisconsinite now living in Philly it is my sincere hope that the Eagles and Packers game continues to be scoreless and ends in a tie. This is the only sure path to victory, I hope all can agree.
November 11, 2025 at 3:05 AM
As a good conflict avoidant, passive-aggressive Wisconsinite now living in Philly it is my sincere hope that the Eagles and Packers game continues to be scoreless and ends in a tie. This is the only sure path to victory, I hope all can agree.
Reposted by Nate Ela
"Golden got it. Our electoral rules are obsolete. He understood why representatives who don’t fit easily into either party are so rare: the electoral system works against them."
leedrutman.substack.com/p/politics-k...
leedrutman.substack.com/p/politics-k...
Politics Keeps Driving Out the People Who Want to Reform It
Jared Golden is the latest problem-solving politician to decide Congress isn’t worth the cost. And so the doom loop takes another turn.
leedrutman.substack.com
November 7, 2025 at 1:38 PM
"Golden got it. Our electoral rules are obsolete. He understood why representatives who don’t fit easily into either party are so rare: the electoral system works against them."
leedrutman.substack.com/p/politics-k...
leedrutman.substack.com/p/politics-k...
Reposted by Nate Ela
Law Profs teaching First Amendment: I have put together a FREE, recently updated, and easy to use casebook for use in free speech classes. If you are interested in using such a casebook, send me an email or DM and I would be happy to share!
November 7, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Law Profs teaching First Amendment: I have put together a FREE, recently updated, and easy to use casebook for use in free speech classes. If you are interested in using such a casebook, send me an email or DM and I would be happy to share!
Reposted by Nate Ela
Happy Four Seasons Total Landscaping Day to all who celebrate in Philly and beyond.
Go Birds.
Go Birds.
Five yrs ago today in my role as head of Voter Protection for Biden-Harris in Phila, at right about this moment, I was reaching out to our team to figure out who could sneak into a hastily-called press conference by Rudy Giuliani at the Four Seasons Hotel ... and then, what, it's going to be where??
November 7, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Happy Four Seasons Total Landscaping Day to all who celebrate in Philly and beyond.
Go Birds.
Go Birds.
Reposted by Nate Ela
Reposted by Nate Ela
To put this in scale, Elon Musk's salary from Tesla alone could fund the SNAP program for the entire country into 2034.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk scored a resounding victory on Thursday as shareholders approved a pay package of as much as $878 billion over the next decade, endorsing his vision of morphing the EV maker into an AI and robotics juggernaut.
Tesla shareholders approve $878 billion pay plan for Elon Musk
Tesla CEO Elon Musk scored a resounding victory on Thursday as shareholders approved a pay package of as much as $878 billion over the next decade, endorsing his vision of morphing the EV maker into an AI and robotics juggernaut.
reut.rs
November 6, 2025 at 10:19 PM
To put this in scale, Elon Musk's salary from Tesla alone could fund the SNAP program for the entire country into 2034.
Reposted by Nate Ela
Here's Bergen County. Clearly -- at the very, very least in New Jersey -- there is substantial evidence that the Republican Party failed to maintain partisan shifts among Latinos
November 6, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Here's Bergen County. Clearly -- at the very, very least in New Jersey -- there is substantial evidence that the Republican Party failed to maintain partisan shifts among Latinos
Reposted by Nate Ela
U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis just took the bench. She's expected to rule on a request for a preliminary injunction governing the use of force by federal agents in Chicago.
Good morning. Back in the courtroom of U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis, who is expected to rule in 20 minutes on the use of force by federal agents against protesters and journalists in Chicago.
'It's a disgrace': Chicagoans describe jarring encounters with feds as judge prepares to rule on 'blitz'
From @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
From @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
November 6, 2025 at 4:11 PM
U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis just took the bench. She's expected to rule on a request for a preliminary injunction governing the use of force by federal agents in Chicago.
Reposted by Nate Ela
More New Yorkers voted Working Families Party than voted Republican.
November 6, 2025 at 12:53 AM
More New Yorkers voted Working Families Party than voted Republican.
Reposted by Nate Ela
~fusion voting~
Mamdani (D) 42.75%
+ Working Families 7.64%
=50.39%
Cuomo (Fight and Deliver) 41.59%
Sliwa (R) 6.63%
+ Protect Animals 0.48%
=7.11%
Adams (inc.) (Safe&AffordableEndAntiSemitism) 0.31%
Estrada (Con.) 0.13%
Walden (Integrity) 0.11%
Hernandez (Quality of Life) 0.06%
write-in: 0.31%
Mamdani (D) 42.75%
+ Working Families 7.64%
=50.39%
Cuomo (Fight and Deliver) 41.59%
Sliwa (R) 6.63%
+ Protect Animals 0.48%
=7.11%
Adams (inc.) (Safe&AffordableEndAntiSemitism) 0.31%
Estrada (Con.) 0.13%
Walden (Integrity) 0.11%
Hernandez (Quality of Life) 0.06%
write-in: 0.31%
November 6, 2025 at 12:21 AM
~fusion voting~
Mamdani (D) 42.75%
+ Working Families 7.64%
=50.39%
Cuomo (Fight and Deliver) 41.59%
Sliwa (R) 6.63%
+ Protect Animals 0.48%
=7.11%
Adams (inc.) (Safe&AffordableEndAntiSemitism) 0.31%
Estrada (Con.) 0.13%
Walden (Integrity) 0.11%
Hernandez (Quality of Life) 0.06%
write-in: 0.31%
Mamdani (D) 42.75%
+ Working Families 7.64%
=50.39%
Cuomo (Fight and Deliver) 41.59%
Sliwa (R) 6.63%
+ Protect Animals 0.48%
=7.11%
Adams (inc.) (Safe&AffordableEndAntiSemitism) 0.31%
Estrada (Con.) 0.13%
Walden (Integrity) 0.11%
Hernandez (Quality of Life) 0.06%
write-in: 0.31%
Reposted by Nate Ela
The President's Postdoctoral Fellowship Program is one of the most coveted & prestigious positions for UC graduates. It gives a hiring incentive to campuses who hire recipients for a tenure track position. What a DAMN travesty.
This is capitulation to Trump's demand letter & anti-diversity agenda.
This is capitulation to Trump's demand letter & anti-diversity agenda.
A devastating set of decisions on the part of UC leadership to withdraw support from our nationally recognized postdoc program that prioritizes research excellence combined with addressing our university public service mission. www.insidehighered.com/news/faculty...
UC to Stop Funding Systemwide Postdoc Program
Established in 1984 to encourage women and minority Ph.D.s to pursue academia, the program has attracted right-wing criticism for prioritizing diverse candidates.
www.insidehighered.com
November 5, 2025 at 9:07 PM
The President's Postdoctoral Fellowship Program is one of the most coveted & prestigious positions for UC graduates. It gives a hiring incentive to campuses who hire recipients for a tenure track position. What a DAMN travesty.
This is capitulation to Trump's demand letter & anti-diversity agenda.
This is capitulation to Trump's demand letter & anti-diversity agenda.
Reposted by Nate Ela
November 5, 2025 at 7:45 PM
City as metaphor in American political rhetoric, from "shining city upon a hill" to Vermeulean city under siege. Discuss.
Note that “the city” here is “the right.” The rest of us are enemies.
November 3, 2025 at 8:42 PM
City as metaphor in American political rhetoric, from "shining city upon a hill" to Vermeulean city under siege. Discuss.
The horror
October 31, 2025 at 5:11 PM
The horror
Reposted by Nate Ela
Jesus Christ. This is going to hurt so many kids if it happens.
I just saw Heightened Scrutiny last night - great film by Sam Feder following Chase Strangio as he prepares to argue Skrmetti at the Supreme Court - defending kids' access to exactly this care.
Kids deserve to live who they are.
I just saw Heightened Scrutiny last night - great film by Sam Feder following Chase Strangio as he prepares to argue Skrmetti at the Supreme Court - defending kids' access to exactly this care.
Kids deserve to live who they are.
The White House plans to bar hospitals that treat transgender children and youth from getting any Medicare and Medicaid payments. The move would affect trans youth who have private insurance, too. n.pr/4qFa1mY
Trump pushes an end to medical care for transgender youth nationally
The White House plans to bar hospitals that treat transgender children and youth from getting any Medicare and Medicaid payments. The move would affect trans youth who have private insurance, too.
n.pr
October 30, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Jesus Christ. This is going to hurt so many kids if it happens.
I just saw Heightened Scrutiny last night - great film by Sam Feder following Chase Strangio as he prepares to argue Skrmetti at the Supreme Court - defending kids' access to exactly this care.
Kids deserve to live who they are.
I just saw Heightened Scrutiny last night - great film by Sam Feder following Chase Strangio as he prepares to argue Skrmetti at the Supreme Court - defending kids' access to exactly this care.
Kids deserve to live who they are.
It's good to ensure that everyone at a university is Compliant and I'm especially proud that I now know how to communicate about Pyrophoric gases that might ignite spontaneously at a temperature of 130º F or below. Going to keep a sharp eye out around the law school for those.
October 30, 2025 at 3:28 AM
It's good to ensure that everyone at a university is Compliant and I'm especially proud that I now know how to communicate about Pyrophoric gases that might ignite spontaneously at a temperature of 130º F or below. Going to keep a sharp eye out around the law school for those.
Hale, “Coercion and Distribution in a Supposedly Non-Coercive State” (1923)
October 30, 2025 at 12:09 AM
Hale, “Coercion and Distribution in a Supposedly Non-Coercive State” (1923)
Reposted by Nate Ela
I'm shaking almost too hard to type. I entered SLC airport and heard screams and cries for help. I could see people gathered around, watching. I sped over to discover this woman face down on the floor, four grown men pushing her down, while she cried "HELP ME" and pled for her child.
October 29, 2025 at 10:23 PM
I'm shaking almost too hard to type. I entered SLC airport and heard screams and cries for help. I could see people gathered around, watching. I sped over to discover this woman face down on the floor, four grown men pushing her down, while she cried "HELP ME" and pled for her child.
Reposted by Nate Ela
Excellent @leedrutman.bsky.social on how it is nearly impossible for moderation to matter much when electoral outcomes are almost perfectly polarized along one dimension - why we need to move toward a multi-party system leedrutman.substack.com/p/the-modera...
October 29, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Excellent @leedrutman.bsky.social on how it is nearly impossible for moderation to matter much when electoral outcomes are almost perfectly polarized along one dimension - why we need to move toward a multi-party system leedrutman.substack.com/p/the-modera...
Reposted by Nate Ela
Blue Wave Incoming
#earlyvote numbers for three states where I have party registration, percentage point change in Dem party registration among early voters, same day before the election comparison to 2024 general:
PA: +10.3 points
NJ: +7.5 points
CT: +7.3 points
#earlyvote numbers for three states where I have party registration, percentage point change in Dem party registration among early voters, same day before the election comparison to 2024 general:
PA: +10.3 points
NJ: +7.5 points
CT: +7.3 points
October 29, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Blue Wave Incoming
#earlyvote numbers for three states where I have party registration, percentage point change in Dem party registration among early voters, same day before the election comparison to 2024 general:
PA: +10.3 points
NJ: +7.5 points
CT: +7.3 points
#earlyvote numbers for three states where I have party registration, percentage point change in Dem party registration among early voters, same day before the election comparison to 2024 general:
PA: +10.3 points
NJ: +7.5 points
CT: +7.3 points
Reposted by Nate Ela
🚨New predoc positions!🚨
Join @alexbartik.bsky.social and me to work on developing LLM tools to analyze zoning regulations and their impacts on housing affordability.
One position starting at the "normal" cycle next year, and another ASAP.
Apply here: apply.interfolio.com/176538
Join @alexbartik.bsky.social and me to work on developing LLM tools to analyze zoning regulations and their impacts on housing affordability.
One position starting at the "normal" cycle next year, and another ASAP.
Apply here: apply.interfolio.com/176538
Apply - Interfolio
{{$ctrl.$state.data.pageTitle}} - Apply - Interfolio
apply.interfolio.com
October 28, 2025 at 7:30 PM
🚨New predoc positions!🚨
Join @alexbartik.bsky.social and me to work on developing LLM tools to analyze zoning regulations and their impacts on housing affordability.
One position starting at the "normal" cycle next year, and another ASAP.
Apply here: apply.interfolio.com/176538
Join @alexbartik.bsky.social and me to work on developing LLM tools to analyze zoning regulations and their impacts on housing affordability.
One position starting at the "normal" cycle next year, and another ASAP.
Apply here: apply.interfolio.com/176538
TIL that my land use students are all fascinated by Tunnel Girl and also that Tunnel Boy has wrangled subsurface rights that risk subsidence, which reminds me of Pennsylvania Coal… it’s that time of fall when the fact-pattern gears really start turning.
Musk's Boring Company begins Nashville tunnel, bypassing the city's approval : www.npr.org/2025/10/22/n...
Musk's Boring Company begins Nashville tunnel, bypassing the city's approval
Work has begun on a tunnel under Nashville that leads to and from the airport. The project by Elon Musk's Boring Company is being pushed through without the city's input.
www.npr.org
October 22, 2025 at 5:36 PM
TIL that my land use students are all fascinated by Tunnel Girl and also that Tunnel Boy has wrangled subsurface rights that risk subsidence, which reminds me of Pennsylvania Coal… it’s that time of fall when the fact-pattern gears really start turning.
Reposted by Nate Ela
Here are some data to drive this point home in sociology. Over the last 10 years we saw a decline from 333 to 200 asst prof jobs posted to the ASA job board - and that's until 2024, which was widely seen as a better market year than 2025
October 21, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Here are some data to drive this point home in sociology. Over the last 10 years we saw a decline from 333 to 200 asst prof jobs posted to the ASA job board - and that's until 2024, which was widely seen as a better market year than 2025
Reposted by Nate Ela
"What the Trump-Vance Administration is doing is not law enforcement. It is retribution—with a KGB-style 'show me the philanthropist, and I will show you the crime' vindictiveness." You don't know what you've got till its gone.... www.aei.org/society-and-...
www.aei.org
October 21, 2025 at 1:41 PM
"What the Trump-Vance Administration is doing is not law enforcement. It is retribution—with a KGB-style 'show me the philanthropist, and I will show you the crime' vindictiveness." You don't know what you've got till its gone.... www.aei.org/society-and-...