The Hamilton/Vinton Method
The Hamilton/Vinton Method sets the divisor as the proportion of the total population per house seat. After each state's population is divided by the divisor, the whole number of the quotient is kept and the fraction dropped. This will result in surplus house seats. The first surplus seat is assigned to the state with the largest fraction after the original division. The next is assigned to the state with the second-largest fraction and so on.For example:
If a country had 4 states, and a 20-seat House of Representatives...
2560 + 3315 + 995 + 5012 = 11882
11882 ⁄ 20 = 594.1
State Population Quotient First Allocation of Seats Left Over Decimal Seats Apportioned
A 2560 2560 ⁄ 594.1 = 4.31 4 .31 4
B 3315 3315 ⁄ 594.1 = 5.58 5 .58 6
C 995 995 ⁄ 594.1 = 1.67 1 .67 2
D 5012 5012 ⁄ 594.1 = 8.44 8 .44 8
Total = 20 Seats
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