The NPR Politics Podcast

Could Proportional Representation Fix Congress?

Most congressional general elections are not competitive. It's why some people feel like voting won't make a difference, or that their interests are not represented by the people who win. Advocates say proportional representation could fix that — a system that where each congressional district would elect multiple representatives, and House seats would be distributed roughly in proportion to the votes each party gets. NPR's Hansi Lo Wang <a href="https://www.npr.org/2023/11/18/1194448925/congress-proportional-representation-explainer">wrote about the idea recently</a>. This bonus episode was originally released for our NPR Politics+ supporters. To hear more episodes like this one, sign up at <a href="http://plus.npr.org/politics">plus.npr.org/politics</a>. You'll also hear every regular episode without sponsor messages — and you'll be supporting the show. Connect: Email the show at <a href="mailto:nprpolitics@npr.org">nprpolitics@npr.org</a> Join the NPR Politics Podcast <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/nprpoliticspodcast/?ref=pages_profile_groups_tab&amp;source_id=1604383669807606">Facebook Group</a>. Subscribe to the <a href="https://www.npr.org/politicsnewsletter">NPR Politics Newsletter</a>. Learn more about sponsor message choices: <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a> <a href="https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy">NPR Privacy Policy</a>

Every weekday, NPR's best political reporters are there to explain the big news coming out of Washington and the campaign trail. They don't just tell you what happened. They tell you why it matters. Every afternoon. Political wonks - get wonkier with The NPR Politics Podcast+. Your subscription supports the podcast and unlocks a sponsor-free feed. Learn more at plus.npr.org/politics