Ace the 2026 Michigan Teacher Certification in Social Studies – Elevate Your Teaching Dreams!

The Supreme Court case Baker v. Carr was decided in 1962. This landmark case addressed the issue of legislative reapportionment and established the principle of "one person, one vote," ensuring that electoral districts were required to be redrawn to reflect population changes. This meant that districts should have approximately equal populations to uphold the democratic principle of equal representation. The decision marked a significant shift in the role of federal courts concerning state legislative apportionment, leading to greater fairness in representation. This context enriches the understanding of why 1962 is the correct answer, as it signifies a critical moment in the evolution of voting rights in the United States.