Unequally Represented

[Keith Broaders]

Prior to the conclusion of the Civil War only three-fifths of the slaves were counted for the purpose of apportionment in the House of Representatives. In other words 40% of the slaves were not counted.

Today in Florida has 28 Congressional Districts with an average of 772,000 constituents. Wyoming, on the other hand has 1 Congressional District with 575,000 inhabitants. If the two states were equally represented, Florida would have 9 more Congressional Districts.

Florida has 197,000 residents in each of their 28 districts that are not be counted. In other words over 5 million Floridians are being counted for the purpose of apportionment.

According to Supreme Court rulings in the 1960's the provisions in the 14th Amendment require that every person in every state has a right to be equally represented in their state legislature. The Supreme Court has ruled that the principle of "One Man One Vote" applies within the boundaries of a state, but Congress is not required to apply this principle.

Wyoming has one Congressional District with 575,000 inhabitants and Florida has 28 districts averaging 772,000 inhabitants. If both states were equally apportioned, Florida would have 9 more Congressional Districts and the people in both states would be equally represented.