The issue of unequal representation—from politics to film—has permeated American culture since the ratification of the United States constitution in the late eighteenth century. Specifically, the amount of congressional representation given to small states and their larger counterparts remains a serious point of contention in America. To appease smaller states in the struggle for balanced representation, the constitution provides for two senators per state regardless of population size, whereas the distribution of seats in the house representatives in proportion to the size of the state. The Reapportionment Act of 1929 officially capped the number of representatives in the house at 435 and ensured that reapportionment would take place using the ten-year census, as per the constitution (“Reapportionment – Definition, Examples, Cases, Processes”). Since then, the problem of congressional representation has not been quelled. For example, Wyoming and Montana are each represented by a singular seat in the house, however Montana’s population is almost double that of Wyoming’s. Such inconsistencies warrant closer examination of the issue at hand. Unfortunately, due to consistent growth in population and restrictions presented by the Reapportionment Act of 1929, I do not believe that there is a feasible solution that can be implemented to rectify issues with reapportionment. 

The Connecticut Compromise of 1787 defined and continues to define the legislative structure in place to determine the type and amount of representation allotted to each state. Delegates Roger Sherman and Oliver Ellsworth devised a two-house solution to appease both large and small states. The House of Representatives appeased the large states with representation proportional to population size while the senate appeased the small states with equal representation regardless of population size (“The Connecticut Compromise – Today in History: July 16: Connecticut History: a CTHumanities Project”). As a result, operations within the House are typically more chaotic and less efficient on account of increased membership.  Efficiency and effectiveness in the senate serve to balance the lack thereof in the house with increased qualifications require to serve as a senator. Restrictions enforced through the legislation of the Reapportionment Act have effectively been passed into law, thus allowing little to no manipulation without a complete revision of the law. To replace such legislation, a two-thirds majority must be reached on the solution which presents inevitable conflict on account of partisan ties and procedural difficulties.   

Any viable solution must pass the test of time so as not to present the same issue mere decades later. While one might consider rescaling each individual seat to the population size of the smallest state to be a potential solution, that would not be considered viable on account of the increasing population nationwide. In addition, shrinking the scale to the smallest state would increase the number of representatives in the house further exacerbating an issue of inefficiency already present within the house.  

While reapportionment is a complex and important issue facing the country, there remains more pressing and crucial concerns such as gerrymandering. Issues regarding the district lines arose as a result of the failure to explicitly outline procedure for their drawing. In a process named after Massachusetts governor, Eldrige Gerry, state politicians manipulate electoral district lines in favor of the incumbent party during the redistricting process (Duignan). Gerrymandering presents an issue with a significantly more viable and practical means of solution than reapportionment; while representatives of the state can be held accountable for the issue of gerrymandering, that of reapportionment remains restricted to processes explicitly stated in past legislation. In conclusion, I believe efforts of all governing bodies should be concentrated on solving problems within a practical range.  

Works Cited 

Duignan, Brian. “Gerrymandering.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 11 Oct. 2019, www.britannica.com/topic/gerrymandering. 

“Reapportionment – Definition, Examples, Cases, Processes.” Legal Dictionary, 16 Oct. 2016, legaldictionary.net/reapportionment/#ftoc-heading-6. 

“The Connecticut Compromise – Today in History: July 16: Connecticut History: a CTHumanities Project.” Connecticut History | a CTHumanities Project, connecticuthistory.org/the-connecticut-compromise/. 

Anya Chew is a third year at The Ohio State University double majoring in Political Science and Security & intelligence along with minors in both German and Military History. Born in Cleveland Heights, Anya was raised by her mother who is of German descent and father alongside her little brother who is a current junior in high school. She was drawn to Ohio State for a number of different reasons— academic and social alike; Ohio State boasts an exceptional political science department as well as maintaining the dynamic of a conventional college campus while in close proximity to the growing city of Columbus. Seeing as her favorite color is red, the decision to attend Ohio State was made even less difficult. A few of Anya’s favorite books and movies include Silence and Interstellar, though she is currently interested in philosophical works by authors in foreign countries. Anya additionally enjoys Italian food and has since made plans to visit Martini Modern Italia in the short north per suggestion from a very tasteful mentee 😉

     Anya described her collegiate experience as a positive one stating that she was lucky to have found her best friend and current roommate through her freshman year rooming assignment in Smith-Steeb residence hall. In addition to her job at the RPAC, Anya works closely with the Political Science department as both a communications assistant and undergraduate student ambassador. While maintaining her three campus jobs, Anya is involved in a multitude of student organizations on campus ranging from Model UN and subsequently CCWA, Buckeye Food Alliance, a student run, student serving food pantry located in Lincoln tower that aids in combating the university’s food insecurity issue to membership in the Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority. During her time at Ohio State, Anya has traveled both domestically (PSL D.C. trip) and overseas to European Countries like Germany where she earned credit for her experimental learning. With interest in cyber security and a specialization in Cooperation, conflict, and violence, Anya hopes to pursue a career in the department of defense.

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