An electrodeionization (EDI) apparatus and method comprising an ion-depleting chamber for removing ions from liquids passed therethrough, wherein a resistive component is coupled proximate the outlet region of the chamber so as to increase the electrical resistance of the outlet region of the chamber with respect to the inlet region of the chamber. The resistive component may be coupled to the ion-selective membranes bordering the diluting chamber and/or the concentrate chambers. In an alternative embodiment, the resistive component may be coupled between the ion-exchanging media particles themselves within the ion-depleting chambers. In each embodiment, the electrical resistance of the outlet region is increased with respect to the inlet region of the chamber, with results being that electrical current is shifted from the outlet region toward the inlet region, thus enhancing overall deionization performance of the EDI device.