Question

In 2010, the United States conducted a census to count all citizens in each state. The results

were used to reassess the number of seats each state was awarded in the House of
Representatives. States whose populations had increased, like Texas and Florida, gained seats
in Congress, while states whose populations had decreased, like New York and Ohio, lost seats.

Explain which constitutional principle this scenario illustrates.What evidence led you to that
conclusion?

Answer 1

The constitutional principle that is illustrated in this scenario is the principle of republicanism. This is because the 2010 Census scenario had a reapportionment.

Answer 2

The constitutional principle that the 2010 Census scenario is called reapportionment. It is explained in Article Two of the US constitution. The number of representatives for each state in the House of Representatives is decided based on population numbers recorded in the Census and then the seats are proportionally distributed between each state, with the number of seats always totaling 435. It is also written in Article One of the Constitution that each state should have at least one seat, in a case where a state’s population might fall below the threshold in proportion to other states. Due to the 2010 Census states, in the South and West tended to gain seats with reapportionment while those in the Great Lakes region especially lost seats. The evidence of reapportionment is described very clearly in Article Two of the Constitution.