Final answer:
The census, conducted every ten years, counts the population to allocate the 435 House seats among states based on population sizes, after which state legislatures redraw district boundaries, a process that can lead to gerrymandering.
Step-by-step explanation:
The census plays a critical role in determining how House seats are distributed among the states. Conducted every ten years, the census counts the number of people living in the United States and assesses where they reside. This data is used to apportion the 435 seats in the House of Representatives among the 50 states. Each state is guaranteed at least one seat, with more populous states receiving a greater number of seats.
Following the release of census data, states are informed of the number of representatives they will have for the next decade. State legislatures are tasked with redrawing the congressional district boundaries to ensure each district has roughly equal population. This redistricting can lead to gerrymandering, where lines are drawn to favor a particular political party, impacting the outcomes of elections for the decade to come.
The apportionment method currently used is the equal proportions method, a mathematical formula that allocates House seats based on census population data. This system has been in place since a cap of 435 House members was set by Congress in 1929.