Reapportionment and Redistricting

Representation and Reapportionment O Census Bureau takes a national census, or population count, every 10 years. O The population of each state determines the new number of representatives – a process called reapportionment O States ’ pop. Increases = more representatives O States ’ pop. Decreases = less representatives

Representation and Reapportionment Continued O Originally the House had only 64 members. O The Reapportionment Act of 1929 limited the House to 435 representatives O Now each census determines how those 435 seats will be divided among the 50 states.

Congressional Redistricting O After the states find out their reapportioned representation, each state legislature sets up congressional districts–one for each representative. O This process is called redistricting. O Gerrymandering - the deliberate rearrangement of the boundaries of congressional districts to influence the outcome of elections.

Closure O The population of Massachusetts has increased but Representation in Congress has declined. Which of these best explains why this happened? O A) A large number of people in Mass. are not citizens. O B) A large number of people in Mass. have not registered to vote. O C) Population growth in Mass. has not kept pace with growth of other states.