Final answer:
Each state's number of representatives in the U.S. House is determined by population, with data obtained from the U.S. Census conducted every 10 years. The Permanent Apportionment Act of 1929 fixed the number of representatives at 435, and the equal proportions method is used to allocate seats after each census.
Step-by-step explanation:
Apportionment of House Representatives
The determination of how many representatives each state is allocated is based on population figures obtained from the United States Census, which is conducted every ten years. Every state is guaranteed at least one seat in the House of Representatives. However, since the Permanent Apportionment Act of 1929, the total number of representatives is capped at 435. After each census, the seats are redistributed among the states in a process known as reapportionment, based on the states' populations.
The method currently used for apportionment is the equal proportions method, a mathematical formula ensuring proportional representation according to the most recent census data. While the number of representatives may fluctuate for each state, the total remains constant. This impacts not just representation in Congress but also the distribution of Electoral College votes since a state's total electoral count is the sum of its senators and representatives.
For example, FIGURE D1 illustrates that after the 2020 Census, the number of delegates in the Electoral College for the 2024 presidential election will be 538. A winning presidential candidate must secure a majority of 270 electoral votes. Congressional districts within each state are also redrawn to reflect the population shifts indicated by the census, ensuring equal representation for each district.