How is representation determined in the House of Representatives?

In the House of Representatives, representation is determined based on the population of each state. This principle is rooted in the U.S. Constitution, specifically in Article I, which mandates that the number of representatives a state has is proportional to its population. This system is intended to ensure that larger states have a greater voice in the House because they have more residents, reflecting the democratic idea that representation should correlate with the number of individuals that a representative serves.

Every ten years, the U.S. conducts a census to gather data on the population, which is then used to adjust the number of representatives allotted to each state, ensuring that the House reflects current population trends. This means that states may gain or lose representatives based on changes in their populations, reinforcing the importance of the census in maintaining equitable representation in Congress.

This approach directly contrasts with equal representation for all states, which is found in the Senate where each state has two senators regardless of size. Additionally, representatives are not determined through state legislature selection or solely by census results; rather, the process encompasses both population dynamics and the periodic census that informs congressional apportionment.