Districts were supposed to be contiguous and compact, and contain equal numbers of inhabitants. A few states continued, for a variety of reasons, to elect at least some of their representatives at large, and many states drew district lines that violated the norms of contiguity, compactness, and equality of population. Furthermore, it said that the federal courts would intervene through legal action to ensure that the principle was adequately followed by state legislatures as they redistricted. Most states subsequently redistricted, and now there is substantial equality of population in districts within each state and between states. Most states hold primary elections within the competing parties several months before the general election.
Incumbents have a big advantage over challengers.
The House, both because of its large size and because of the great volume of business it handles, has a complex organizational structure and rules of procedure. The substantive business of the House is carried on mainly in various committees and subcommittees with fixed jurisdictions. The House may also authorize the appointment of special or select committees to look into specific problems or issues. The majority party of the House has a majority on each committee. It also controls the appointment of most committee staff members.