<P> Members of Congress in both houses are elected by direct popular vote . Senators are elected via a statewide vote and representatives by voters in each congressional district . Congressional districts are apportioned to the states , once every ten years , based on population figures from the most recent nationwide census . Each of the 435 members of the House of Representatives is elected to serve a two - year term representing the people of their district . Each state , regardless of its size , has at least one congressman or congresswoman . Each of the 100 members of the Senate is elected to serve a six - year term representing the people of their state . Each state , regardless of its size , has two senators . Senatorial terms are staggered , so every two years approximately one - third of the Senate is up for election . Each staggered group of one - third of the senators is called a ' class ' . No state has both its senators in the same class . </P>
<P> Members of Congress in both houses are elected by direct popular vote . Senators are elected via a statewide vote and representatives by voters in each congressional district . Congressional districts are apportioned to the states , once every ten years , based on population figures from the most recent nationwide census . Each of the 435 members of the House of Representatives is elected to serve a two - year term representing the people of their district . Each state , regardless of its size , has at least one congressman or congresswoman . Each of the 100 members of the Senate is elected to serve a six - year term representing the people of their state . Each state , regardless of its size , has two senators . Senatorial terms are staggered , so every two years approximately one - third of the Senate is up for election . Each staggered group of one - third of the senators is called a ' class ' . No state has both its senators in the same class . </P>
how are members of congress and the senate chosen for their office
how are members of congress and the senate chosen for their office
elected by direct popular vote
elected by direct popular vote