Which case extended the "one person, one vote" principle to state legislative districts?

Which case extended the "one person, one vote" principle to state legislative districts?

• A. Baker v. Carr (1962)
• B. Reynolds v. Sims (1964)
• C. Kent v. United States (1966)
• D. Dickerson v. United States (2000)

Answer: (B)

This question tests understanding of how the equal protection idea of “one person, one vote” was applied to state legislatures. The core point is that votes should carry roughly equal weight across districts so that representation matches population. First, the Court had already allowed federal review of redistricting disputes, saying such issues are justiciable when state districts are involved. Building on that, Reynolds v. Sims extended the principle to state legislative districts by requiring that districts be nearly equal in population. That ensures that each citizen’s vote has similar influence in choosing state legislators, aligning state districting with the idea of equal protection. The other cases address different topics: Kent v. United States deals with due process in juvenile transfers to the adult system, and Dickerson v. United States concerns upholding a constitutional right during police interrogation. Neither concerns the apportionment of state legislative districts, which is why Reynolds v. Sims is the correct choice.

This question tests understanding of how the equal protection idea of “one person, one vote” was applied to state legislatures. The core point is that votes should carry roughly equal weight across districts so that representation matches population.

First, the Court had already allowed federal review of redistricting disputes, saying such issues are justiciable when state districts are involved. Building on that, Reynolds v. Sims extended the principle to state legislative districts by requiring that districts be nearly equal in population. That ensures that each citizen’s vote has similar influence in choosing state legislators, aligning state districting with the idea of equal protection.

The other cases address different topics: Kent v. United States deals with due process in juvenile transfers to the adult system, and Dickerson v. United States concerns upholding a constitutional right during police interrogation. Neither concerns the apportionment of state legislative districts, which is why Reynolds v. Sims is the correct choice.