Size and Terms

1
Chapter 10

• Section 2

2
Size and Terms

• Seats are decided by State population.
• Today we have 435 members.
• Each State is guaranteed on seat.
• No restriction of number of terms.
• Elected every two years.

3
Reapportionment

• As the nation grew so did the number of seats.
• The Act of 1929 set the size of the House at 435.
• Every ten years the Census Bureau is to determine
  how the seats are distributed.
• Each house must accept the Census Bureau plan.

4
Congressional Elections

• Elections are held on the same November day.
• Elections that occur in nonpresidential years are
  called off-year elections.
• The 435 members are elected by 435 separate
  districts.
• The State legislatures decide on the districts.
• Gerrymandering is the practice of setting
  districts to help one party.
• The Supreme Court put an end to this,

5
Qualifications

• Must be at least 25
• Citizen for at least 7 years
• Must live in the State where elected.