<P> Members of Congress in both houses are elected by direct popular vote . Senators are elected via a statewide vote and representatives by voters in each congressional district . Congressional districts are apportioned to the states , once every ten years , based on population figures from the most recent nationwide census . Each of the 435 members of the House of Representatives is elected to serve a two - year term representing the people of their district . Each state , regardless of its size , has at least one congressman or congresswoman . Each of the 100 members of the Senate is elected to serve a six - year term representing the people of their state . Each state , regardless of its size , has two senators . Senatorial terms are staggered , so every two years approximately one - third of the Senate is up for election . Each staggered group of one - third of the senators is called a ' class ' . No state has both its senators in the same class . </P>
how are members of congress and the senate chosen for their office
elected by direct popular vote