What is a federal ratio?

Answer 1

The federal ratio is simply another name for the three-fifths compromise set forth by congress to deal with the issue of counting slaves towards population in regards to representation in the house of representatives. It basically says that one slave will count for 3/5 of a free man when counting population for seats by state in the house. This compromise went on to affect Thomas Jefferson's election to president and other events in that the southern slave owners were given votes in compliance with the three-fifths compromise, thus giving his supporters extra votes to give him, meanwhile the northern states did not have the slaves to do this with for various reasons.