The word "apportionment clause" refers to a section in the United States Constitution that requires the US House of Representatives to reapportion seats based on population every 10 years. The IPA phonetic transcription of this word is /əˈpɔːʃ(ə)nmənt klɔːz/. The stress pattern of the word is on the second syllable "por" while the final syllable "ment" is unstressed. The "ch" sound in the word is pronounced as /k/ rather than as in "chair".
The apportionment clause refers to a provision within the United States Constitution that deals with the distribution of seats in the House of Representatives. Specifically, it is found in Article 1, Section 2, Clause 3 of the Constitution.
The apportionment clause dictates that the total number of seats in the House of Representatives shall be determined by the population of each state. This population count, known as the census, is conducted every ten years. Based on the census results, the seats are then apportioned or distributed among the various states.
The apportionment clause also specifies that each state must be allocated at least one seat, regardless of its population size. Additionally, it establishes the process by which the seats are divided among the states, using a mathematical formula known as the method of equal proportions.
The purpose of the apportionment clause is to ensure that representation in the House of Representatives is proportionate to the population of each state. This principle of proportional representation ensures that states with larger populations have more representatives, thus reflecting the will of the people.
The apportionment process plays a significant role in determining the political power and influence of each state. The distribution of seats affects the number of electoral votes a state has, as well as its representation in Congress. As a result, the apportionment clause is a fundamental aspect of the democratic system in the United States, helping to ensure fair and equitable representation.
The word "apportionment" comes from the Latin word "apportionare", which means "to divide" or "to share". It is derived from the Latin word "portio", meaning "portion" or "share". The suffix "-ment" is added to turn the verb "apportion" into a noun, indicating the act or process of dividing or sharing.
The term "clause" comes from the Latin word "clausula", which means "a sentence" or "a section". It is derived from the Latin verb "claudere", meaning "to close" or "to shut". In legal and contractual contexts, a clause refers to a specific section or provision within a document.