Section 17. Representative districts
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Legislative Districts
The Commonwealth shall be divided into 50 senatorial and 203 representative districts, which shall be composed of compact and contiguous territory as nearly equal in population as practicable. Each senatorial district shall elect one Senator, and each representative district one Representative. Unless absolutely necessary no county, city, incorporated town, borough, township or ward shall be divided in forming either a senatorial or representative district.
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Representative districts
The members of the House of Representatives shall be apportioned among the several counties, on a ratio obtained by dividing the population of the State as ascertained by the most recent United States census by two hundred. Every county containing less than five ratios shall have one representative for every full ratio, and an additional representative when the surplus exceeds half a ratio; but each county shall have at least one representative. Every county containing five ratios or more shall have one representative for every full ratio. Every city containing a population equal to a ratio, shall elect separately its proportion of the representatives allotted to the county in which it is located. Every city entitled to more than four representatives, and every county having more than one hundred thousand inhabitants, shall be divided into districts of compact and contiguous territory, each district to elect its proportion of representatives according to its population, but no district shall elect more than four representatives.
Of the periods of enumeration and the ratio of representation
In the year one thousand eight hundred and sixty-four, and in every seventh year thereafter, representatives to the number of one hundred, shall be apportioned and distributed equally, throughout the state, by districts, in proportion to the number of taxable inhabitants in the several parts thereof; except that any county containing at least three thousand five hundred taxables, may be allowed a separate representation; but no more than three counties shall be joined, and no county shall be divided, in the formation of a district. Any city containing a sufficient number of taxables to entitle it to at least two representatives, shall have a separate representation assigned it, and shall be divided into convenient districts of contiguous territory, of equal taxable population as near as may be, each of which districts shall elect one representative.
Of the periods of enumeration and the ratio of representation
Within three years after the first meeting of the General Assembly, and within every subsequent term of seven years, an enumeration of the taxable inhabitants shall be made, in such manner as shall be directed by law. The number of Representatives shall, at the several periods of making such enumeration, be fixed by the legislature, and apportioned among the city of Philadelphia and the several counties, according to the number of taxable inhabitants in each; and shall never be less than sixty, nor greater than one hundred. Each county shall have, at least, one Representative; but no county, hereafter erected, shall be entitled to a separate representation, until a sufficient number of taxable inhabitants shall be contained within it, to entitle them to one Representative, agreeably to the ratio which shall then be established.
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The city of Philadelphia and each County of this Common Wealth respectively shall on the first Tuesday of November in this present year, and on the Second Tuesday in October Annually for the two next succeeding Years to wit. The year One Thousand Seven hundred and Seventy Seven and the year One Thousand Seven hundred and Seventy Eight choose six persons to represent them in General Assembly. But as Representation in proportion to the Number of Taxable Inhabitants is the only principle which can at all times Secure Liberty and make the Voice of a Majority of the people the Law of the Land; Therefore the General Assembly shall cause compleat Lists of the Taxable Inhabitants in the City and each County in the Common Wealth respectively to be taken and returned to them on or before the last meeting of the Assembly elected in the year One Thousand Seven hundred and Seventy Eight, Who shall appoint a Representation to each in proportion to the number of Taxables in such returns, Which Representation shall continue for the next seven years afterwards, at the End of which a new return of the Taxable Inhabitants shall be made, and a Representation agreeable thereto appointed by the said Assembly and so on Septennially for ever, The Wages of the Representatives in General Assembly and all other State Charges shall be paid out of the State Treasury.
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