Question

Congressional reapportionment and redistricting are conducted every ten years. When redistricting is conducted, politicians often engage in gerrymandering. Define congressional reapportionment and explain one reason why it is important to states.

Answer 1

Congressional reapportionment redistributes seats in the U.S. House of Representatives based on census data to ensure equal population representation, affecting a state's political power and federal funding. Gerrymandering involves manipulating district boundaries to favor a political party, impacting election outcomes and resource allocation. Reapportionment maintains democratic balance and voter equity.

Step-by-step explanation:

Congressional reapportionment is the process by which the 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives are redistributed among the 50 states in accordance with the latest census data. This process ensures that each district has a roughly equal population. Reapportionment is critical for states because it can increase or decrease their representation in Congress, which in turn affects their political power and the amount of federal funding they may receive.

Gerrymandering, the practice of drawing congressional district boundaries to favor a particular political party, arises as state legislatures control the redistricting process. This can impact electoral outcomes for over a decade until the next census. By manipulating district lines, state legislatures can create 'safe' seats for their party, impacting legislation and resource allocation.

Reapportionment is essential because it affects a state's political representation and the distribution of resources. It is a fundamental component of American democracy, ensuring that each citizen's vote has equal weight and maintaining a balance of power among the states.