Insightful Political Commentary & Behind-the-Scenes Stories You Won’t Get Anywhere Else

Gain clear, experience-driven perspectives on politics, campaigns, and culture—written by veteran political strategist and author, Joe Rothstein.

Joe Rothstein
Politics and Policy Joe Rothstein Politics and Policy Joe Rothstein

How Are Members of Congress Elected—and Could We Do Better?

Hardly anyone is thrilled with the U.S. political campaign system—candidates grovel for donations, funders feel drained, and voters are caught in a storm of negativity. But what if there was a way out? This post proposes a revolutionary, Constitution-backed alternative: stop electing Congress and start selecting its members, just like juries.

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Politics and Policy Joe Rothstein Politics and Policy Joe Rothstein

Here’s What’s Really Crazy About Congress: It Takes So Few Votes to Get There

Over the past decade 80 to 85% of eligible voters have not participated in the elections that are key to who serves in Congress. Members are winning tickets to national power with fly spec percentages of constituent support. That’s the bad news. The good news is that fixes are doable without a constitutional amendment, or judicial decisions, or mostly without even legislative action.

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