What is Single-Member District?

Definition and meaning of single-member district: A single-member district is an area of representation in which a single representative is elected to serve the needs of the people in that designated district. This means that instead of a larger number of representatives being elected to represent a larger population, one representative is elected to serve the needs of a smaller population. In the United States, single-member districts are used in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. In the House of Representatives, there are 435 districts, each of which is represented by a single individual, with the total number of representatives determined by the U.S. Census every ten years. In the Senate, each state is represented by two senators, also elected based on the population of the state. Single-member districts are a useful way to ensure that representatives are more accountable to their constituents, as they are only accountable to the people in their district. This helps to ensure that representatives are more responsive to the needs of their constituents.

The alternative to single-member districts is multi-member districts.