The foundation of the United States House of Representatives lies in the principle of proportional representation, a direct response to the population disparities among the states. Unlike a system where each state receives equal delegates regardless of size, the House allocates seats based on the census count, ensuring that legislative power reflects the actual distribution of the population.
Federalism and the Balance of Power in House Representation
This contrasted sharply with the New Jersey Plan, which favored equal representation. The inclusion of the total resident population, rather than just eligible voters, was a deliberate choice to ensure that every individual residing in a state is counted for the purpose of political allocation, shaping the redistricting maps that define electoral districts.
The process occurs every ten years, with the next cycle following the 2030 census. The fixed number of 435 seats was established by the Permanent Apportionment Act of 1929.
Federalism and the Balance of Power in House Representation
Decennial census data drives the reapportionment process. States can gain or lose seats based on relative growth compared to the national average.
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