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Reapportionment. Government: Libertyville HS. What is Reapportionment?. A method to re-draw congressional district lines to reflect the population changes in America, from state to state Also called “redistricting ”. (red – lose population, blue = gain pop). What is Reapportionment?.
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Reapportionment Government: Libertyville HS
What is Reapportionment? • A method to re-draw congressional district lines to reflect the population changes in America, from state to state • Also called “redistricting” (red – lose population, blue = gain pop)
What is Reapportionment? • Who does it affect? • House of Representatives members ONLY • US Senators NOT affected (why?) • Look at example of unapportioned state w/ 4 districts • Where do you want to live to maximize your representation from congressman: with more or fewer people? 250,000 500,000 5 million 1 million
What is the Process? • Census Bureau counts our population every 10 years to determine where people live • Census Bureau divides the total population of the US by 435 (why?) • This determines the number of Americans per district • Census Bureau then tells each state how many congressional seats it has
Effects of Reapportionment Reapportionment effect, 2010 Reapportionment effect, 2000
What is the Process? • Each state legislature redraws the district lines • Congress • State Legislature • New lines reflect addition / loss of seats • Court challenges follow to assure constitutionality and fairness of map • Challenges can be brought in state or federal courts • Will end up in USSC
What can be Taken into Consideration? • USSC has decided many cases to determine what can be considered in reapportionment • Same # of people must be in each district (“one man, one vote”): Wesberyv. Sanders • Keep communities together! (AVOID GERRYMANDERING) • Race / ethnicity of a pop. IS NOT allowed to be considered… • …unless a compelling state interest is shown • “Past discrimination” is not a compelling state interest • Showing present discrimination would be enough (Shaw v. Reno)
What can be Taken into Consideration? • Political preference of a population can be considered when re-districting (Latin Voters v. Perry)
Illinois Congressional Map Illinois’ 4th Congressional District