Reapportionment Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/ˌriːəpɔːrˈtɪmənt/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Noun

Definition

A process of redistributing the seats in a legislative body such as a state or national legislature, based on changes in the population or census data, to ensure fair representation.

Examples

• After the census, the state underwent a reapportionment to redistribute seats among different districts.
• The reapportionment committee worked to ensure a fair distribution of seats based on population growth.

Synonyms

• Redistribution
• Realignment

Antonyms

• Underrepresentation
• Malapportionment

Additional Information

Reapportionment is an important step in ensuring that legislative bodies accurately represent the diverse needs and interests of their constituents. The process typically occurs after each census, which provides an opportunity for states to realign districts and rebalance representation.

Different countries have varying approaches to reapportionment, with some countries using a system based on fixed quotas or populations, while others rely on political or geographical considerations.

The process of reapportionment can have significant implications for elections, as it can change the number of seats available in a district or state. This, in turn, can affect the outcome of elections and the balance of power in a legislature.

Reapportionment is often a contentious issue, as different groups or interests may have competing demands for representation. As a result, the process can be complex and involve significant debate and negotiation.

Etymology

The word “reapportionment” is derived from the Latin words “re” (meaning “again” or “anew”) and “apportio” (meaning “allocate” or “distribution”).

The term “reapportionment” has been used in English since at least the 18th century to describe the process of redistributing seats in legislative bodies.

Usage Notes

Reapportionment is typically used in formal or technical contexts, such as in legislative or administrative circles. It may not be commonly used in everyday conversation or writing.

When using the term “reapportionment”, it is essential to understand the specific context and the implications for representation and power.

The term “reapportionment” is often used in conjunction with other terms, such as “redistricting” or “boundary changes”, to describe the process of adjusting electoral boundaries.

Cultural References

• The movie “Lincoln” (2012) features a scene in which the president negotiates over reapportionment with his advisors.
• The TV show “House of Cards” (2013-2018) includes a storyline centered on reapportionment and its impact on the balance of power in the state legislature.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

• “Reap what you sow”: This idiom suggests that the consequences of one’s actions will ultimately be reflected in the results.
• “Sow the seeds of discord”: This phrase implies that actions can lead to conflict or divisions, and reapportionment can sometimes be seen as sowing the seeds of discord in communities or districts.

Related Words or Phrases

Redistricting is the process of adjusting electoral boundaries, which is often closely linked to reapportionment.

Representation refers to the act of speaking or acting on behalf of a person, group, or community, and reapportionment aims to ensure fair representation.

Collocations

Reapportionment is often collocated with words like “census”, “population”, “districts”, “representation”, and “elections”.

Example sentences might include phrases like “reapportionment of seats based on census data” or “reapportionment of districts to reflect population growth”.

Frequency of Use

Reapportionment is a relatively specialized term, and its frequency of use is relatively low compared to more general terms like “representation” or “elections”.

However, the term is still used in various contexts, including legislative, administrative, and academic circles.

Common Misspellings

• Reapportionment is often misspelled as “reapportionment”, “reapportion”, or “reapportioning”.
• The term may also be confused with similar-sounding words like “apportionment” or “repartition”.