What is the process of updating the seats in the House of Representatives every ten years called?

The process of updating the seats in the House of Representatives every ten years is called reapportionment. This process is based on the results of the national census, which is conducted every ten years. After the census, states may gain or lose seats in the House depending on changes in population. The total number of House seats remains fixed at 435, but the distribution among the states can change to reflect shifts in population.

Reapportionment specifically pertains to the adjustment of the number of representatives each state is allotted based on population changes. This ensures that representation in the House corresponds more accurately to the current population distribution across the states.

It is essential to differentiate reapportionment from related concepts such as redistricting, which involves redrawing the boundaries of electoral districts after reapportionment is completed. Redistricting occurs at the state level and aims to ensure that each district contains roughly equal populations, enabling fair representation within the changed apportionment of seats. The term census refers to the actual count of the population conducted every decade, while the Representation Act does not specifically relate to the processes of reapportionment or redistricting.

Thus, reapportionment is the key term that captures the essence of updating the distribution of House seats based on census