Name
Class__________________________________
Date _______________
Objective: SWBAT explain why the Constitution provides for a bicameral legislature
SWBAT describe the size and elective terms of members of the House of Representatives
Vocabulary:
1. Term:
2. Session:
3. Single- Member District:
4. Apportion:
5. Gerrymander:
Recall:
1. The Legislative Branch is broken up into what two parts:
a.
i. How many members are in a: _____________
ii. How many Reps does each state get: _____________
b.
i. How many members are in b: _____________
ii. How many Reps does each state get: _____________
Notes:
1.
2.
Qualifications for House Members:
1.
2.
3.
Wesberry v. Sanders (1964)
Facts: James P. Wesberry, Jr. filed a suit against the Governor of Georgia, Carl E. Sanders,
protesting the state's apportionment scheme. The Fifth Congressional District, of which
Wesberry was a member, had a population two to three times larger than some of the other
districts in the state. Wesberry claimed this system diluted his right to vote compared to other
Georgia residents.
Question: Did Georgia's congressional districts violate the Fourteenth Amendment or deprive
citizens of the full benefit of their right to vote?
Recall:
1. What is the 14th Amendment?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. What is another name for the 14th Amendment?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. During what time period in history was the 14th Amendment passed?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
What do you think? How would you have ruled in this case? Why?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
What the Court ruled:
The Court held that Georgia's apportionment scheme grossly discriminated against voters in the
Fifth Congressional District. Because a single congressman had to represent two to three times as
many people as were represented by congressmen in other districts, the Georgia statute
contracted the value of some votes and expanded the value of others. The Court recognized that
"no right is more precious" than that of having a voice in elections and held that "[t]o say that a
vote is worth more in one district than in another would not only run counter to our fundamental
ideas of democratic government, it would cast aside the principle of a House of Representatives
elected 'by the People. . .'"
Quiz:
1. How are seats in the House of Representatives apportioned?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. When will the next “off year election” take place?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. Why do politicians “gerrymander” districts?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
4. Since 1910, the average number of people in a Congressional district has tripled from 210,000
to over 650,000. How might this affect the ability of members of Congress to represent their
constituents? Do you think the internet helps or hurts constituent communication?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
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