<P> States typically redraw district boundaries after each census , though they may do so at other times , such as the 2003 Texas redistricting . Each state determines its own district boundaries , either through legislation or through non-partisan panels . `` Malapportionment '' is unconstitutional and districts must be approximately equal in population ( see Wesberry v. Sanders ) . Additionally , Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 prohibits redistricting plans that are intended to , or have the effect of , discriminating against racial or language minority voters . Aside from malapportionment and discrimination against racial or language minorities , federal courts have allowed state legislatures to engage in gerrymandering for the benefit of political parties or incumbents . In a 1984 case , Davis v. Bandemer , the Supreme Court held that gerrymandered districts could be struck down on the basis of the Equal Protection Clause , but the Court did not articulate a standard for when districts are impermissibly gerrymandered . However , the Court overruled Davis in 2004 in Vieth v. Jubelirer , and Court precedent currently holds gerrymandering to be a political question . According to calculations made by Burt Neuborne using criteria set forth by the American Political Science Association , about 40 seats , less than 10 % of the House membership , are chosen through a genuinely contested electoral process , given partisan gerrymandering . </P>
<P> States typically redraw district boundaries after each census , though they may do so at other times , such as the 2003 Texas redistricting . Each state determines its own district boundaries , either through legislation or through non-partisan panels . `` Malapportionment '' is unconstitutional and districts must be approximately equal in population ( see Wesberry v. Sanders ) . Additionally , Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 prohibits redistricting plans that are intended to , or have the effect of , discriminating against racial or language minority voters . Aside from malapportionment and discrimination against racial or language minorities , federal courts have allowed state legislatures to engage in gerrymandering for the benefit of political parties or incumbents . In a 1984 case , Davis v. Bandemer , the Supreme Court held that gerrymandered districts could be struck down on the basis of the Equal Protection Clause , but the Court did not articulate a standard for when districts are impermissibly gerrymandered . However , the Court overruled Davis in 2004 in Vieth v. Jubelirer , and Court precedent currently holds gerrymandering to be a political question . According to calculations made by Burt Neuborne using criteria set forth by the American Political Science Association , about 40 seats , less than 10 % of the House membership , are chosen through a genuinely contested electoral process , given partisan gerrymandering . </P>
when does the house of representatives decide how many representatives can be sent from each state
when does the house of representatives decide how many representatives can be sent from each state
States typically redraw district boundaries after each census , though they may do so at other times
States typically redraw district boundaries after each census , though they may do so at other times