Once apportionment and reapportionment have allocated the number of seats to each state, redistricting comes into play. Redistricting refers to the process of redrawing the boundaries of congressional districts within a state. The objective of redistricting is to ensure that each district contains roughly the same number of residents, as mandated by the principle of “one person, one vote.” Redistricting seeks to provide fair representation to all citizens and accommodate shifting population patterns.

Baker v. Carr (1962)

In Baker v. Carr, in 1962, the Court ruled that the judicial branch of government can rule on matters of legislative apportionment. It established the principle of “one person, one vote” and ordered state legislative districts to be as equal in population as possible. The Court held that unfair, unequal distribution of state legislative seats violated the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.



Wesberry v. Sanders (1964)

Because rural areas dominated many state legislatures (and since state legislatures draw the district lines), congressional districts for the U.S. House often favored less-populous rural areas of a state. Wesberry v. Sanders (1964) set forth the principle of “one person, one vote” in drawing congressional districts, thus extending further the ruling in Baker v. Carr. The case triggered widespread redistricting that gave cities and suburbs greater representation in Congress.
What is the primary objective of redistricting?
A)To increase the number of representatives in Congress
B)To redraw district lines based on political affiliation
C)To favor rural areas over urban areas
D)To ensure that each congressional district has roughly the same number of residents