What is the Wyoming Rule? Proposal to Expand the U.S. House of Representatives Explained

The Wyoming Rule is a proposal aimed at addressing the disproportionality in representation within the U.S. House of Representatives by aligning the representative-to-population ratio with that of the least populous state, which is currently Wyoming. Under this proposal, the number of seats in the House of Representatives would increase, making the allocation of seats more reflective of state populations. In the following sections, we’ll delve into the details of the Wyoming Rule, its potential impact, and the broader context surrounding U.S. congressional representation.

Origins of the Wyoming Rule

The idea behind the Wyoming Rule stems from the growing disparity between the population sizes of the largest and smallest states. As the U.S. population has grown and shifted geographically, some states, particularly those with large urban populations like California and Texas, have seen substantial population increases. Meanwhile, smaller states, such as Wyoming, have experienced much slower growth.

Article One of the U.S. Constitution guarantees that each state will have at least one representative in the House, regardless of population size. However, this provision has led to a growing disproportionality in the representation of citizens from different states. The Wyoming Rule seeks to mitigate this by using the population of the smallest state—currently Wyoming—as the benchmark for determining how many representatives each state should have.

House Size and the Reapportionment Act of 1929

The current size of the U.S. House of Representatives is fixed at 435 members, a number that was set by the Reapportionment Act of 1929. This law established a permanent method for apportioning seats in the House of Representatives based on population data from the U.S. Census. However, the Act did not account for the massive population growth that has occurred since its implementation.

By fixing the number of representatives, the Act exacerbates the disparities in representation between states. Larger states end up with far more constituents per representative than smaller states, meaning that the principle of “one person, one vote” is unevenly applied. The Wyoming Rule would require repealing or amending the Reapportionment Act of 1929 to increase the total number of representatives.

Implementing the Wyoming Rule

To implement the Wyoming Rule, the number of representatives would be adjusted so that each state’s population is represented in proportion to Wyoming’s population. According to the 2020 U.S. Census, Wyoming has a population of approximately 577,719 people, which would become the standard population per representative.

If this system were applied, the total number of seats in the House would rise from 435 to 574. Larger states, such as California and Texas, would gain a significant number of additional seats. For example, California would increase from 52 to 69 representatives, while Texas would rise from 38 to 51. Smaller states, which currently have only one representative, would remain unaffected unless their populations warranted an additional seat.

Impact of the Wyoming Rule

Reducing Disparity in Representation

The primary goal of the Wyoming Rule is to reduce the disparity in the number of constituents each representative serves. Currently, some representatives serve far more constituents than others. For instance, in states like Delaware and Montana, representatives are responsible for nearly double the number of constituents than those in states like Wyoming.

By increasing the total number of representatives, the Wyoming Rule would make representation more equitable, ensuring that states with larger populations receive a proportional increase in their number of representatives. While this wouldn’t completely eliminate disparities, it would significantly reduce the gap between the most and least populated districts.

Influence on Electoral College

The Wyoming Rule would also impact the Electoral College, which is used to elect the President of the United States. Each state’s number of electoral votes is equal to its total representation in Congress (both House and Senate seats). An increase in the number of representatives would therefore lead to a corresponding increase in the number of electoral votes.

For example, under the Wyoming Rule, California would see its electoral votes rise from 55 to 71, while Texas would increase from 40 to 53. Smaller states, like Wyoming, would retain their existing three electoral votes. This change would slightly shift the balance of power in the Electoral College toward states with larger populations.

Challenges and Criticisms

While the Wyoming Rule offers a potential solution to the issue of disproportional representation, it also presents several challenges. One major obstacle is that increasing the number of representatives would require significant changes to the structure and operation of the House. A larger House would require more physical space, more staff, and potentially more complex procedures for legislation.

Another criticism of the Wyoming Rule is that it doesn’t fully resolve the issue of unequal representation. Even with more representatives, some states would still have a significantly higher population-to-representative ratio than others. Additionally, some critics argue that the Wyoming Rule would make the legislative process more cumbersome and slow down decision-making.

Legal and Constitutional Considerations

The U.S. Constitution sets a maximum ratio of one representative for every 30,000 people, meaning that the House could theoretically grow to over 11,000 members. However, no such expansion has occurred since 1929, largely due to the political and logistical challenges involved in increasing the size of the House.

To implement the Wyoming Rule, Congress would need to pass new legislation to repeal or amend the Reapportionment Act of 1929. This would require a majority vote in both the House and Senate, as well as the President’s signature. Given the current political climate and the potential for partisan disagreements over redistricting, such a change may be difficult to achieve.

Historical Perspective

Had the Wyoming Rule been implemented in previous decades, the size and composition of the House of Representatives would have looked very different. For instance, following the 1930 Census, the House would have grown to 1,418 members under the Wyoming Rule, compared to the 435 members that were actually allocated.

Throughout U.S. history, the size of the House has grown as the population has increased. However, after 1929, the number of seats was capped, and further adjustments were made only to apportion existing seats, rather than increase the total number. The Wyoming Rule represents a return to the earlier practice of expanding the House in response to population growth.

Possible Effects of the Wyoming Rule

While the Wyoming Rule would likely reduce the overall disparity in representation, it would not eliminate the gap between the largest and smallest districts. For example, North Dakota, with a population of 779,702, would still have one representative, meaning its population-to-representative ratio would be significantly higher than that of Wyoming, which has a smaller population.

The implementation of the Wyoming Rule would also lead to notable shifts in the political landscape. States with rapidly growing populations, like Florida, Texas, and Arizona, would gain a significant number of new representatives, potentially increasing their influence in Congress. On the other hand, states with slower population growth, such as those in the Midwest and Northeast, would see relatively smaller gains.

Conclusion

The Wyoming Rule is a compelling proposal for addressing the growing disparities in representation within the U.S. House of Representatives. By increasing the total number of representatives and using Wyoming’s population as a benchmark, the Rule would create a more equitable distribution of seats. However, the challenges of implementing such a change—both legal and logistical—are significant. Additionally, while the Rule would reduce disparities, it would not completely eliminate them, and the potential for unintended consequences, such as a more cumbersome legislative process, remains a concern.

As the U.S. population continues to grow and change, the question of how best to ensure fair representation in Congress will remain a pressing issue. Whether the Wyoming Rule—or some other method of reapportionment—is ultimately adopted, the need for reform is clear.

FAQs

1. What is the Wyoming Rule?
The Wyoming Rule is a proposal to increase the size of the U.S. House of Representatives by setting the representative-to-population ratio equal to that of the least populous state, which is currently Wyoming.

2. How many seats would be added to the House under the Wyoming Rule?
Based on the 2020 Census, the Wyoming Rule would increase the number of seats in the House from 435 to 574.

3. Why is the Wyoming Rule being proposed?
The Wyoming Rule aims to reduce the growing disparity in representation between states with large and small populations.

4. Would the Wyoming Rule affect the Electoral College?
Yes, since the number of electoral votes is tied to the total number of representatives, an increase in House seats would also increase the number of electoral votes for many states.

5. What are the challenges to implementing the Wyoming Rule?
Challenges include the need to repeal or amend the Reapportionment Act of 1929, logistical issues with a larger House, and the potential for further disparities in representation.