Thanks for using our votes database and for your comments about the late. Rep. Norwood. I’m writing to explain how we calculate missed votes when it comes to people who no longer are members (whether through death, resignation or expulsion). In Norwood’s case, his vote-misser score is based only on those votes he was eligible for while alive, and his illness prevented him from voting on most of those.

So we are not and do not penalize members who leave Congress in terms of their scores. Your point about Norwood likely being atop the list of vote-missers is well-taken, and that’s why we have the note explaining his circumstances (and those of other members who are sick or injured).

If you have any questions, please feel free to let me know. My email is derek.willis AT washingtonpost.com.

Thanks,
Derek