Why do some states have more Representatives than others?

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The number of Representatives a state has in the House of Representatives is primarily determined by its population. The United States uses a system of apportionment, where the total number of seats in the House is allocated among the states based on their populations as measured by the decennial census. This means that states with larger populations receive more Representatives, ensuring that the interests of a greater number of constituents are adequately represented in Congress.

While geographic size and political influence might affect a state's visibility or power in other ways, they do not directly influence the number of Representatives. Historical significance may also play a role in the perception of states or their political weight, but it does not impact the apportionment process which is strictly based on population counts. Thus, population is the key factor that determines how many Representatives each state is allocated.

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