Massachusetts to lose a representative?

As you will soon learn in Social Studies class, the legislative branch is split into two chambers. Each state elects two senators to represent the state in Congress. The number of representatives in the House of Representatives, on the other hand, is determined by population. The larger the state's population, the more representatives it sends to the House. The following article describes a change that might occur for Massachusetts. Since Massachusetts has lost population since the last population census, our state may lose a representative to Congress in 2012. What does this mean for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts? What effect will this have on our lives? Why do you think Massachusetts is losing population?

Mass. may lose congressional seat in ’12
September 28, 2010
WASHINGTON — Massachusetts is expected to be one of 10 states to lose congressional seats in 2012 as a result of shifting populations, according to a new study.

Massachusetts would join Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania in losing one seat, projections from Election Data Services Inc. revealed. New York and Ohio would each lose two seats.

Texas would be the biggest beneficiary, gaining four seats, with Florida in line for two more seats, and one each for Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, South Carolina, Utah, and Washington.

The reapportionment process will begin after the census numbers are released, probably in late December. Each state will then have to draw new congressional districts in time for the 2012 elections.

The prediction is not a surprise for the Commonwealth. State officials and members of the 10-seat Massachusetts delegation have been aware of such a likelihood for months.

There were, however, some unexpected projections in the report. “We were most surprised at the shift of an additional district out of New York and down to Florida, even though that follows the population movement in this country since World War II,’’ said Kimball Brace, president of the election data firm.

No other state in New England would be affected, although Rhode Island is only narrowly expected to keep both of its congressional districts; if the census numbers come in lower than expected, it could lose one of those seats.

In Massachusetts, the Legislature redraws the districts, which could lead to two incumbents facing off in the primaries in 2012.

Election Data Services released the study this past weekend at a redistricting seminar of the National Conference of State Legislatures in Providence. — MATT VISER


Citation: Associated Press. "Mass. May Lose Congressional Seat in ’12 - The Boston Globe." Boston.com. 28 Sept. 2010. Web. 28 Sept. 2010. .