State equality in the Senate, established by the Great Compromise of 1787, guarantees each state two senators regardless of population size. During the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, large states pushed the Virginia Plan, drafted by James Madison, which proposed representation proportional to population in both legislative chambers. Delegates from large states argued they contributed more financial and defensive resources and deserved greater representation. Small states fiercely opposed this plan, insisting on preserving the equal vote they held under the Articles of Confederation. Connecticut''s Roger Sherman moved for equal state suffrage in the Senate, declaring ''the smaller States would never agree to the plan on any other principle.'' The delegates finally agreed to the Connecticut Compromise: equal representation in the Senate (two senators per state) and proportional representation in the House based on population. James Madison explained that equal Senate votes constitutionally recognize the sovereignty remaining in individual states and preserve that residuary sovereignty against consolidation into one simple republic. Today, Wyoming''s 579,000 residents have the same Senate representation as California''s 39 million residents.