Stephen C. Phillips, PhD

The East Wing and East Colonnade of the White House have been demolished. Photos from East Colonnade:

Held: Universal injunctions likely exceed the equitable authority that Congress has given to federal courts. The Court grants the Govern. ment's applications for a partial stay of the injunctions entered below but only to the extent that the injunctions are broader than necessary to provide complete relief to each plaintiff with standing to sue.

Supreme Court punts on birthright citizenship, saying the "issue is not before us." However, significantly, Court says "Universal injunctions likely exceed the equitable authority that Congress has granted to federal courts." Therefore, the "applications for partial stays... are granted."

Clemson University logo featuring an orange paw print with a white outline painted on the grass in the foreground, with a brick building in the background.

🚨 Job Alert!

Clemson University is hiring a lecturer in American Politics for Fall 2025. Position open with respect to specialty, but ability to offer research methods and institutions courses is a plus. Deadline is 5/16. Apply here: apply.interfolio.com/167554 #poliscisky #academicsky

Feeling ready to run for office yourself? @runforsomething.net will help you get started. runforwhat.net

How early voting on campuses can boost election turnout for students — and for residents | Analysis Expanding on-campus early-voting sites can boost turnout in U.S. elections by making voting more convenient – not only for students but for residents of surrounding communities too.

"Turnout rates among young voters vary widely across states, but in states where on-campus voting locations are frequent—such as Arizona, Florida and North Carolina—youth turnout tends to be higher." Published by @tucsonsentinel.com #polisky #sayfie www.tucsonsentinel.com/opinion/repo...

Domino effects meme: 2011 White House Correspondents’ Dinner to the end of the U.S. as leader of the free world

How early voting on campuses can boost election turnout – not only for students but for residents, too Everyone is more likely to cast a ballot when voting is convenient, data from Florida’s early on-campus poll site shows.

A political scientist explains how expanding #earlyvoting sites on college campuses can increase voter turnout in U.S. elections by making voting more accessible—not just for students, but for nearby full-time residents. https://buff.ly/3F4Rehg @scvphillips.bsky.social, Clemson University #polisky

How early voting on campuses can boost election turnout – not only for students but for residents, too Everyone is more likely to cast a ballot when voting is convenient, data from Florida’s early on-campus poll site shows.

I've been tracking votes cast at on-campus early-voting sites in Florida since 2018. In 2024, 142k ballots were cast across 16 sites

Expanding on-campus EV is not just about convenience, it's about strengthening democracy. Published by @theconversation.com
theconversation.com/how-early-vo...

Excited to present this paper with Tara Trask at APSA TLC #polisky

Given repeated questions about Secret Service leadership, dating back more than a decade, is it time for Congress to amend 6 USC §113 to make the Secret Service Director position subject to Senate confirmation?

Currently, the Director is appointed by the president and serves at their pleasure.

That’s that.

Frosted Strawberry Pop-Tart has risen

How your email finds me

With California's votes now certified, this appears to be the final popular vote count. The margin of 1.47 percentage points is the smallest since the 2000 election. Kamala Harris received over 75 million votes in this election.

I picked him up a few years ago. Probably the item in my office that students point out the most

Background: In my intro to U.S. gov course, I have a running example during the semester—to discuss the bureaucracy, rulemaking, checks and balances, etc.—of a federal rule (50 CFR §18.3) that makes it illegal to “transport, purchase, sell, or offer to purchase or sell” a walrus

A teal tie featuring brown walruses presented on top of a wood desk.

On Wednesday, two students gave me a walrus tie as an end of semester gift. Cannot express how awesome that felt. Today, for the last day of classes, I am proudly wearing this tie #academicsky #lawsky

please come to my party for political scientists

there is no dress code — the party decides

Trump transition advisers have been looking at ways to rescind the SAVE plan while also figuring out how to replace it with other repayment options for borrowers

Bad news for the 8 million student loan borrowers enrolled in the—currently paused—SAVE plan

Makes me sad re-reading this amazing letter from ex-Watergate Special Prosecutor Archibald Cox sent to high school seniors in 1994 after they asked him “What should Americans learn from Watergate?” 20 years later in ‘94.

His answer is remarkable—unfortunately things didn’t work out so well in 2024.

Biden To Reopen 2 Student Loan Forgiveness Paths In December Under Interim Rule The Biden administration is preparing to reopen access to two critical programs in December that would provide additional pathways to eventual student loan forgiveness.

Important news for student loan borrowers, particularly those enrolled in the SAVE plan that have been stuck in limbo for months

Blue Dogs Propose New Task Force to Look at ‘Winner-Take-All’ Election System The bipartisan task force would investigate structural reforms like multimember districts and adding more House members in an effort to address growing polarization and distrust of Congress.

Following their reelection, Reps. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez and Jared Golden propose task force to evaluate federal electoral reform, including:

🔘 Non-partisan open primaries
🔘 Independent redistricting commissions
🔘 Multi-member congressional districts
🔘 Increasing size of the House beyond 435

That is an interesting thought. Could very well impact long-term growth trends, especially given questions about National Flood Insurance Program. I think the underlying trends are unlikely to drastically change short-term, since this is based on 2023 Census estimates

2030 apportionment forecast of House seats from the American Redistricting Project

As Democrats conduct their post-mortem of the 2024 election, one eye needs to be focused on long-term strategy. The electoral map for Democrats is likely going to become much tougher in 2032 and beyond, as blue states are forecast to continue losing House seats and thus Electoral College votes

Important for all to remember that democracy is dependent upon the engagement of the people to maintain it. A democracy is a living thing, its health must be maintained and nurtured by the people

Many policy and structural reforms have been proposed over the years:

🔘 Explicit right to vote
🔘 Term limits for federal judges
🔘 Proportional representation in the House
🔘 Popular vote to elect president
🔘 Equal Rights Amendment
🔘 Explicit right to privacy
🔘 Recognition of tribal sovereignty

Chad Wolf at DHS comes to mind

Morning Consult index of consumer sentiment by party identification

Vibes are changing