What principle was affirmed in Baker v. Carr regarding legislative districts?

The principle affirmed in Baker v. Carr is commonly referred to as "one person, one vote." This landmark case established that legislative districts must be roughly equal in population, ensuring that each person's vote carries the same weight. The Supreme Court ruled that disparities in population among districts violated the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. This decision laid the groundwork for the principle of proportional representation in legislative bodies, reinforcing the idea that every individual should have an equal say in government, irrespective of where they live.

The focus in Baker v. Carr was not on the geographic boundaries or political affiliations of the districts but rather on the necessity for districts to be drawn in such a way that population differences do not dilute the electoral power of voters. This case paved the way for future rulings regarding redistricting and has had a lasting impact on the way legislative districts are structured in the United States.