1. The House of Representatives
Chapter 10: Section 2
The House of Representatives

2. The House of Representatives
What are the size and terms of the House of Representatives?
How are House seats reapportioned among the States after each census?
How can we describe a typical congressional election and congressional district?
What are the formal and informal qualifications for serving in the House?
The House of Representatives

3. Size and Terms 435 Members-# is determined by Congress
Seats are apportioned (distributed) based on population
Two-year terms
No term limits
Size and Terms

4. Article 1: Congress reapportions the seats in the House after each decennial census.
As the population of the U.S. grew, the number of representatives grew as well.
Reapportionment Act of 1929: permanent size at 435, provided for automatic reapportionment
Reapportionment

5. Current Apportionment

6. Congressional Elections
Congressional elections are held on the Tuesday following the first Monday in November of each even-numbered year.
Off-year elections are those congressional elections held between presidential elections.
Congressional Elections

7. Districts and Gerrymandering
Single-member district: voters in each district elect one of the State’s representatives
Gerrymandering: act of drawing congressional districts to the advantage of the political party that controls the State legislature.
Unusual shaped-voting districts
Districts and Gerrymandering

8. Gerrymandering

9. Qualifications for House Members
Must be 25 years old
Must have been U.S. citizen for 7 years
Must have been inhabitant of state from which he or she is elected
What are informal qualifications?
Qualifications for House Members