MBE Rules · Constitutional Law
One Person, One Vote
Reynolds v. Sims
The rule
State legislative districts must be substantially equal in population; congressional districts require near-exact equality, and the right to vote is fundamental, triggering strict scrutiny of denials.
In plain English
The One Person, One Vote rule mandates that legislative districts must have roughly equal populations to ensure that each person's vote carries the same weight. This principle is especially stringent for congressional districts, where near-exact population equality is required, and any denial of voting rights is subject to strict scrutiny due to its fundamental nature.
Worked example
In a state with a population of 1 million, one legislative district has 100,000 residents while another has 150,000. A court finds that this significant disparity violates the One Person, One Vote principle, resulting in the requirement to redraw the districts to achieve more equal populations.
Memory hook
Equal votes, equal power – One Person, One Vote!
The trap
Exams often present scenarios where districts appear to be equal but include subtle population differences that students might overlook. Be cautious of questions that focus on the nuances of population distribution.
How examiners test it
Questions typically involve hypothetical scenarios with varying district populations, asking whether the districts comply with the One Person, One Vote standard and what remedies might be available.
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