Final answer:
The U.S. Census Bureau is responsible for carrying out the census, which is used for reapportionment of the U.S. House of Representatives. State legislatures are generally in charge of redistricting based on the census data, but this has raised concerns about gerrymandering, leading some to suggest the use of independent redistricting commissions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Who is in charge of Census and reapportionment? The U.S. Census Bureau, a government agency under the Department of Commerce, is responsible for conducting the census every ten years. This count plays a crucial role in reapportionment, which is the process of redistributing the 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives among the 50 states based on population data provided by the census.
Congressional apportionment today uses the equal proportions method, ensuring that seats in the House are distributed as evenly as possible according to population changes. While the census data determines the number of seats each state receives, state legislatures are typically responsible for redistricting, which involves drawing new congressional district boundaries. However, this often leads to gerrymandering, where district lines are drawn to favor one political party, affecting election outcomes.
To address concerns about partisanship in redistricting, some advocate for independent commissions to redraw districts. These commissions aim to create fairer and more competitive election districts, potentially including a diverse group of nonpartisan experts and community members.