History of Representation in the States

[Keith Broaders]

In 1619 the House of Burgesses was established. At that time there was a population of 2,400 and 22 men were chosen to represent the people. They had one representative for every 109 people..

In 1776 Virginia had a population of 595,034 and had 126 representatives or one represwntative for every 4,772 persons.

In 1787 Virginia had a population 752,908 and still had only 126 repreentqatives or one represnetative for every 5,975 people.

Today, Virginia has a population of 8,536,000 and has 100 representatives in their state legislature or one representative for every 85,360 peoplein their state legislature

If there is too little represntation you vill have an oligarchy but it you have too much representation you will have a democracy. Before the Constitution was ratified Virginia had one representative for every 5,975 people.

They believed that limiting the size of Congressional Disricts not to exceed 30,000 would prevent the tyranny of a majority could be prevented.

The power of Congress increases and the voice of the people decreases as the size Congressional Districts conitiues to grow.

[Keith Broaders]