1. The House of Representatives population-based representation Article I, Section 2

2. Size and Terms 435 members – determined by Congress Representation apportioned (distributed) based on population Representatives serve 2 year terms No limit on the number of terms Every state is guaranteed at least one seat in the House of Representatives, no matter how small their population is.

3. Small States with 1 Representative Alaska Alaska Delaware Delaware Montana Montana North Dakota North Dakota South Dakota South Dakota Vermont Vermont Wyoming Wyoming

4. How does the government know how many people live in each state? Census: Constitution requires the government to count all of the people in the country every 10 years Census: Constitution requires the government to count all of the people in the country every 10 years After the census, Congress decides the number of representatives each state will have. After the census, Congress decides the number of representatives each state will have.

5. Reapportionment After every census, the representation is reapportioned or redistributed Number set at 435 - The Reapportionment Act of 1929 2010 Census last one -309,183,463 The number of people counted is divided by 435 ~ 710,767 people per representative 2013 – 316,094,000 ~ 726,653 The US grows – number of people each representative speaks for grows.

6. 2013 Congress 2013 Congress PA – 12,763,536 / 20 = 738,176 PA – 12,763,536 / 20 = 738,176 CA – 38,041,430 / 55 = 691,662 CA – 38,041,430 / 55 = 691,662 WY - 576,412 / 3 = 192,137 WY - 576,412 / 3 = 192,137 2013 House of Representatives 2013 House of Representatives PA – 12,763,536 / 18 = 709,085 PA – 12,763,536 / 18 = 709,085 CA – 38,041,430 / 53 = 717,763 CA – 38,041,430 / 53 = 717,763 WY - 576,412 / 1 = 576,412 WY - 576,412 / 1 = 576,412

11. Gerrymandering Districts with unusual shapes Districts with unusual shapes Gerrymandering draws districts to favor one political party - governor’s responsibility Gerrymandering draws districts to favor one political party - governor’s responsibility The original gerrymander was created in 1812 by Massachusetts The original gerrymander was created in 1812 by Massachusetts governor Elbridge Gerry, governor Elbridge Gerry, who crafted a district for who crafted a district for political purposes that looked political purposes that looked like a salamander. like a salamander.

12. How has Congress regulated redistricting? Voting Rights Act 1965 – Fed reg of elections Voting Rights Act 1965 – Fed reg of elections In 1967, Congress requiring all U.S. reps. to be elected from single member In 1967, Congress requiring all U.S. reps. to be elected from single member Congress in 1982 amended Voting Rights Act- protect voting rights of racial minorities in redistricting. Congress in 1982 amended Voting Rights Act- protect voting rights of racial minorities in redistricting. states have great leeway to draw districts, states have great leeway to draw districts, Cracking – diluting voting base Cracking – diluting voting base Packing – keeping voting base in one district Packing – keeping voting base in one district

13. How Has the Supreme Court regulated redistricting? Baker v Carr 1962 Baker v Carr 1962 Wesbury v Sanders 1964 Wesbury v Sanders 1964 One man, one vote: each voting district must be of similar size – within 10% One man, one vote: each voting district must be of similar size – within 10% Bush v Vera 1996 Bush v Vera 1996 Struck down race based districts as unconstitutional - race can not be the controlling factor in drawing district lines Struck down race based districts as unconstitutional - race can not be the controlling factor in drawing district lines Hunt v Cromartie 2001 Hunt v Cromartie 2001 Race can be one of the mix of factors that shape the process Race can be one of the mix of factors that shape the process

14. Texas having difficulty complying with the Voting Rights Act 1965 & amendments Texas having difficulty complying with the Voting Rights Act 1965 & amendments Not legal to dilute power of minority groups Not legal to dilute power of minority groups Preclearance – districts with history of voter discrimination must get permission before approving any changes related to voting. Section 5 VRA Preclearance – districts with history of voter discrimination must get permission before approving any changes related to voting. Section 5 VRA Section 5- Constitutional? Section 5- Constitutional? http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/26/us/su preme-court-ruling.html?_r=0 http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/26/us/su preme-court-ruling.html?_r=0 http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/26/us/su preme-court-ruling.html?_r=0 http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/26/us/su preme-court-ruling.html?_r=0

15. Try your hand at Redistricting http://wxxi.org/curriculum/redistrict/interactive/s imulation/index.html# http://wxxi.org/curriculum/redistrict/interactive/s imulation/index.html# http://www.annenbergclassroom.org/page/one -person-one-vote http://www.annenbergclassroom.org/page/one -person-one-vote

16. Congressional Elections Held the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of an even numbered year Held the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of an even numbered year Senate - continuous body Senate - continuous body House - up for election every even numbered year House - up for election every even numbered year

17. Districts Single-member districts People in a district vote for their representative At-large? People in a state vote for all representatives in that state