Experiences and Environments of US Legislative Casework

• In Event: Student Research: Politics of Public Policy

Abstract

This project investigates the practices, pressures, and environments shaping legislative casework through a series of 40-minute semi-structured interviews with caseworkers active in Senates and Houses of Representatives at both the both state and federal level. By examining how workload, service demand, office priorities, collaboration, and member roles influence and are influenced by day-to-day casework, this study shifts the focus from the electoral benefits of casework for legislators to the lived experiences of those performing it. The findings will provide new insights into the institutional and policy implications of casework operations, offering a more comprehensive understanding of the relationship between caseworkers, constituents, and the legislative branch.

Author

• Ken Docekal, University of Kentucky
  Presenting Author