The political map to be used for the next decade began to take shape Tuesday as the Census Bureau announced the reapportionment of the 435 Congressional districts.
The announcement also marked the official start of constitutionally mandated redistricting next year in states across the country.
The officials announced the April 1 population count will be 308,745,538, a growth of 9.7 percent from 281,421,906 one decade ago.
Based on the nation’s population data gathered in the 2010 census, the map illustrates the continued migration of Americans to the South and the West. The big winners were Texas, which gained four districts, and Florida, which took two. Among the losers were New York and Ohio, which lost two seats each.
The loss of at least one seat in a state will likely set up several turf battles, with more lawmakers than Congressional districts. It could also lead to retirements from incumbents unwilling to put up a fight or push Members to seek statewide office instead.
Meanwhile, the addition of seats in a state will provide new avenues for pent up ambition.
In addition to the large gains in Florida and Texas, these states gained one seat: Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, South Carolina, Utah and Washington.
After the Ohio and New York losses, these states lost one seat: Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
The average population per Congressional district is about 710,000 people.
Rep. Bill Cassidy has his blood drawn by Alesha Barbour during a free hepatitis screening in the Rayburn House Office Building hosted by the Congressional Viral Hepatitis Caucus to recognize "National Viral Hepatitis Testing Day."
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