1. Chapter 10 Section 2 Objective: To understand the structure of the House of Representatives

2. A. Size and Terms 1. Today there are 435 members of the house. 2. The total number of seats is apportioned among the states on the basis of their respective populations (sounds like what plan?) 3. Each state is guaranteed at least one seat in the house.

3. 4. Representatives hold office for two- year terms. 5. No limit exists on the number of terms a representative may serve. ** People have called for term limits, but it has not been enacted…why?**

4. B. Reapportionment 1. Reapportionment is a redistribution of the seats in the house as a result of the decennial census. 2. In 1929, the number of seats in the house was fixed at 435, to be redistributed every 10 years according to the census. What would happen if Puerto Rico became a state?

5. C. Congressional Elections 1. Date – Congressional elections are held on the Tuesday following the first Monday in November each even numbered year. 2. Off-year Elections – Congressional elections held on non-presidential election years…the party holding the presidency usually loses seats.

6. 3. Districts – Members of the house are chosen by the voters in geographical districts in their states; districts are drawn by state legislatures - All seats in the House are filled from single-member districts – only one person wins (plurality v. majority vote) Not At-Large (not statewide)

7. Gerrymandering – Congressional districts often have been drawn to the advantage of the political party that controls the state legislature

8. Westburry v. Sanders 1964 1. For many years, rural congressional districts with few people were over- represented in the House, at the expense of urban and suburban districts. 2. The Supreme Court in the 1964 case of Westburry v. Sanders, held that districts should closely adhere to a one- peron-one-vote principle.

9. E. Qualifications for the House 1. Members of the House must be at least 25 years of age, have been a citizen for at least 7 years, and must inhabit the state they wish to represent…not the district?? 2. The House judges the acceptability of individual members and may vote to censure or remove members.

10. 3. The Supreme Court, in Powell v. McCormack (1969), ruled that the House may not exclude any member- elect who meets Constitutional requirements.