The big issue in the news today is the Missouri legislature’s attempt to avoid the state constitution’s referendum provisions in order to impose a legislative map that would advantage Republicans to the tune of all but one of the state’s seats in the US House. The Supreme Court is asked to intervene, and Justice Kavanaugh - after we taped - declined to do so. This may not be end of the story, but our guest Vik Amar is on top of it together with Akhil. Listen to get the details, and check out Scotusblog.com to stay updated - Akhil and Vik have a new column there. Meanwhile, our interview with Professor Steven Smith discussing his new book, On Statesmanship, precedes this discussion this week - don’t miss that, either! CLE credit is available for lawyers and judges from podcast.njsba.com.

Originalists venerate the Founders, who were by most reckonings a group of remarkable statesmen. Today, many Americans look seemingly in vain for a statesman worthy of the moment and its challenges. But what is a statesman? Does the U.S. Constitution assume a statesman will be at the helm? Does it enable such a leader, or is it designed to thwart the designs of what Lincoln called the “towering genius?” Acclaimed author and scholar Steven B. Smith joins us from Yale on the occasion of publication of his new book, On Statesmanship, in the first of two fascinating segments on many aspects of this many-faceted concept. And, Andy and Akhil take a look at an important law emerging from the California legislature and awaiting the governor’s signature. CLE credit is available for lawyers and judges at podcast.njsba.com.

Voting rights are in the news. The state and federal governments have sought to weigh in and intervene on election laws, as we have seen in previous cycles. This time, a number of states have passed laws that address mail-in or absentee voting, but in doing so, what seems on its surface to be addressing some needs of seniors may in fact be more constitutionally questionable than first meets the eye. And in so doing, the states are implicating the 26th amendment. A circuit split has developed and as a result, the Supreme Court may get involved and this modern amendment may get its first case before the court. We bring in the expert on such things: Professor Vik Amar, who has already published a new article on these questions in recent days. The “brothers-in-law” are at it again, and we are all the beneficiaries. CLE credit is available for lawyers and judges from podcast.njsba.com.