On September 17, 1787, delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia signed the United States Constitution to send it to the states for ratification. The major issue in the discussion of the new Constitution was representation. States with larger population wanted representation based on population. States with smaller populations feared being overpowered by a few states and called for equal representation for each state.

The Connecticut Compromise gave us the legislative organization that we have today. The House of Representatives is based on population. The Senate provides two votes for each state regardless of size. This presents the unusual situation for seven states, Alaska, Delaware, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, and Wyoming having more Senators than members in the House of Representatives. Continue reading →

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