American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

The primary purpose of the census, as indicated in the US Constitution, is to provide the basis for?

1. Fair apportionment among the states of seats in the US House of Representatives

2. The distribution of federal funds to state and local governments

3. The distribution of state funds to local governments

4. The fair apportionment among the states of seats in the US Senate

The correct answer is: Fair apportionment among the states of seats in the US House of Representatives

The primary purpose of the census, as outlined in the U.S. Constitution, is to provide a basis for fair apportionment of seats in the U.S. House of Representatives among the states. This purpose is crucial because the number of representatives each state has in the House is determined by its population as counted in the decennial census. The Constitution requires that an actual enumeration of the population be conducted every ten years, ensuring that representation is fairly distributed according to population changes and demographic shifts. This process helps uphold the principle of equal representation, integral to a democratic system. It ensures that states with larger populations receive a proportionally higher number of representatives, thus allowing for more equitable legislative representation. While the census does impact other areas, such as the distribution of federal and state funding or legislative apportionment in other contexts, these are not the primary purposes defined in the Constitution. The focus on the House of Representatives emphasizes the founding fathers' intent to represent the populace fairly in one of the key legislative bodies of the federal government.