On March 28, 2019, Jeff Koterba's cartoon depicts a towering state senator clutching a briefcase labeled term limits for state senators as he leaves a voting booth. A smaller voter stands nearby, thinking about the days when the booth held more sway. The image addresses ongoing debates over term limits in state legislatures, where incumbents often resist restrictions that would shorten their tenure. The visual contrast underscores the power imbalance between entrenched politicians and average voters seeking change.
The image shows the U.S. Capitol with a red and white striped circus tent roof. A man and woman stand in the foreground. The woman has a speech bubble stating that the circus has some scary clowns. The scene references the 2018 Senate Judiciary Committee hearings on the Supreme Court nomination of Brett Kavanaugh and testimony from Christine Blasey Ford.
The cartoon depicts a cluster of male senators in dark suits holding a document marked designated female with Rachel Mitchell's image. One senator states they need a woman to do their job. A group of women in vote shirts on the right side replies by asking how about eleven women. Small text at bottom notes they would be pleasing if they smiled more. The scene references the 2018 Kavanaugh Supreme Court confirmation process and the role assigned to Mitchell during the Senate Judiciary Committee hearings.
