Apportionment – The Math Behind Representation
What is apportionment, how has it changed over time, and why is it important?
By Ruth McLatchie
June 6, 2025
“Apportionment is the process of dividing up a fixed quantity or resource among different individuals or groups in a fair and equitable way” according to the U.S. House of Representatives constitution.laws.com webpage. Apportionment applies to several areas of government, including representation, taxation, and budget. However, when most people talk about apportionment at the federal level, they refer to congressional apportionment in the House of Representatives, intended to ensure that the populations of each state are fairly represented.
Why is it important to know the history of congressional apportionment? Apportionment affects almost every other area of government, either directly or indirectly. Through apportionment, your representation affects the national, state, and local economies, your taxes, your public services, and federal, state, and local laws.
Stay tuned for more information about the history and methods of apportionment in the United States from the Constitution to the present in our June 27 issue.
Keep Cool and Think It Out
The Editors
Citizens Digest Staff
- Ruth McLatchie, Editor-in-Chief, Written Media
- Mike Gonzalez, Technical Editor, Writer
- Donald Wiggins, Chief Legal and Organizational Officer
- Daniel DeLuca, Chief Financial Officer
- Mark Harris, Operations Manager
- Elizabeth Frost, Circulation and Volunteer Manager
- Alicia Meckstroth, Contributor
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