What is the significance of the Reynolds v. Sims case?

The Reynolds v. Sims case is significant because it firmly established the principle of "one person, one vote" in the context of state legislative representation. The Supreme Court ruled that the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment requires that legislative districts within a state must be roughly equal in population. This means that each person's vote should carry the same weight as another's, thereby ensuring equitable representation in the legislative process.

This ruling was a critical step in addressing issues of representation, particularly in states where legislative districts were drawn in a manner that greatly favored certain populations over others, often leading to substantial disparities in the value of individual votes. The impact of this decision continued to influence the way districts are created and redrawn, promoting fair and proportionate representation across different demographics and regions.

The other choices focus on different principles or rights that are not directly addressed in this case; therefore, they do not capture the essence of what Reynolds v. Sims achieved regarding legislative representation.