(ReliableNews.org) – The data from the 2020 Census is starting to come in. States are going to start redrawing their congressional maps soon to prepare for the reallocation of congressional seats. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are already gearing up for a fight.
On April 26, the Census Bureau released some of its data. It showed that New York, California, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Michigan will each lose a seat in the House. However, five other states will gain one new seat, including Florida, and Texas will pick up two seats. While that might seem small, it could mean the difference between a Republican and Democratic majority.
The Census Bureau just released the first #2020Census results, which included the number of seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives. Here are the results 👇 https://t.co/RHvocjkXow #Apportionment #CensusBureau pic.twitter.com/2QuyrHccDJ
— U.S. Census Bureau (@uscensusbureau) April 26, 2021
According to the Cook Political Report, there are lawmakers on both sides of the aisle who might lose their seats after the redistricting is complete.
The full Census data needed for redistricting won’t be available until the fall. States must then redraw their maps before the 2022 midterms, so that the new Congress can take their seats in January 2023. The last time states redrew their maps, multiple lawsuits were filed as allegations of gerrymandering were thrown about. The fight culminated in a ruling by the Supreme Court that political gerrymandering was out of the reach of the federal courts. It’s likely the fight over redistricting will be just as brutal this time around.
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