[EM] Congressional Size

[Mike]

>>1)After each census, the total population is divided
by that of the smallest state (or an average of the n
smallest ones, in case of catastrophic depopulation of
WY)

This would be easy to implement, so its technical feasibility would be quite high.

>>2)States are guaranteed that they can't lose seats
without a decrease in population. (Perhaps with an
exception if the house itself decreases in size)


I don't think this is necessary, and it might be counterproductive -- the number of representatives from each state should reflect the relative populations. If Wyoming suddenly doubles in population while California stays the same, there is no reason why California should keep its extra representation relative to Wyoming.

A couple of things I'd throw in the "For what it's worth" department, I'd also reduce the number of senators per state to one and adjust the electoral college accordingly. I can kind of see where having a senior and junior senator from a state provides some continuity when one retires, but the overhead and redundancy (not to mention the bonus it gives to certain states in the electoral college) is enough to want to change it.

Second, I'd let the voters choose which representative districting map they want to use. It would be easy enough to allow each political party and independent candidate to propose a map, and then the voters vote for the map and the candidates using ranked ballots in the general election. Once the ballots for the districting map are counted and the winner decided, the votes for the candidates could be tabulated. This would cut down on gerrymandering and make it much harder for politicians to select the voters by drawing the districts (you could vote for a Republican map and a Democratic candidate). You would occasionally end up with a representative that didn't live in your district, but if that's what the voters wish there is no reason to prohibit it.

Oh well, it's time for me to participate in that other societal obligation, jury duty :)