Test 3 Chapter 7: TX Legislature

Flashcards covering key concepts related to the Texas Legislature based on lecture notes.

What are the requirements to be a member of the Texas House of Representatives?

Must be at least 21 years old and serve a 2-year term.

What are the requirements to be a member of the Texas Senate?

Must be at least 26 years old and serve a 4-year term.

What is Gerrymandering?

The practice of drawing district lines in a way that favors one group over another.

What was the ruling in Baker v. Carr (1962)?

US Supreme Court ruled that legislative districts must be redistricted after each decennial census.

Define redistricting.

The physical redrawing of district lines to ensure equal population among districts.

What is reapportionment?

The process of redistributing the 435 US House of Representatives seats based on population changes after each census.

What does the 'one person, one vote' theory refer to?

The principle that all individuals' votes should carry equal weight in elections.

What is the composition of the US Congress?

Bicameral, consisting of the US House of Representatives with 435 seats and the US Senate with 100 seats.

What was the outcome of Reynolds v. Sims (1964)?

State districts must be redistricted and reapportioned after each decennial census, similar to federal districts.

According to the discussion in the lecture, to which legislative bodies do the rulings of Baker v. Carr and Reynolds v. Sims apply?

Both apply to the US Congress and state legislatures.