Question

The legislature in a state has 90 seats. Apportion these seats to the four counties below using Jefferson's method. County Population Initial Allocation Seats Received Adams 89,000 Grant 334,900 Colton 59,100 Davis 21,000. Does this situation illustrate any apportionment issues?

A) Yes, it does illustrate apportionment issues.
B) No, it does not illustrate apportionment issues.
C) All of the above
D) None of the above

Answer 1

Jefferson's method requires finding a suitable divisor to allocate the 90 seats proportionally based on populations. Apportionment issues can arise, such as inequalities in representation due to the rounding procedures of whole seats allocation.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question involves solving an apportionment problem using Jefferson's method, which is a mathematical procedure to allocate seats among different groups based on population. To apportion 90 seats among the four counties, divide the total population by 90 to find a divisor that gives a first approximation of representation. Continually adjust the divisor and allocate seats until all 90 seats are distributed proportionately according to population sizes.

For an example, assume we determined a divisor that gives Adams an initial allocation of 10.53 seats, Grant 39.47 seats, Colton 6.99 seats, and Davis 2.48 seats. Adams and Grant receive full seats due to getting a fraction of .5 or more in the decimal, while Colton and Davis would get the fraction rounded down. We adjust the divisor until we apportion all 90 seats as whole numbers. Apportionment issues can arise from Jefferson's method as it tends to favor smaller populations.

Yes, this situation does illustrate potential apportionment issues inherent in any method of seat allocation, including possible inequalities in representation that result from rounding procedures.