How often does the U.S. House of Representatives reapportion its seats?

The correct answer is based on the constitutional requirement that the U.S. House of Representatives undergoes a process called reapportionment following the decennial census, which is conducted every ten years. This process is essential because it adjusts the distribution of the 435 House seats among the states based on changes in population.

After the census is completed, the total population of each state is calculated, and seats are reallocated according to the principle of equal representation, ensuring that each representative serves approximately the same number of constituents. This helps maintain a fair and equitable legislative process reflective of shifts in population across the country.

Reapportionment is significant not only for legislative representation but also for resources and federal funding that states receive, as these can be influenced by the population counts derived from the census.

The other options do not align with this ten-year cycle: every five years would imply a more frequent reassessment, which is not mandated; every two years pertains to the electoral cycle of House members but does not relate to the seating apportionment process; and every four years is similar to the presidential election cycle, which again is unrelated to how House seats are allocated.