Did you know that in addition to counting people for their future incarceration in domestic internment camps, the census also determines the new allocation of the nation’s 435 congressional seats? For the past 70 years or so, this has been bad news for New York, which has lost seats every decade since World War II as other, sunnier states gain a greater share of the national population. From a dominating 45 to a now totally unimpressive 29, New York has seen its influence in both the House of Representatives and the electoral college steadily wane.
Sadly, the slow descent into mediocrity is set to continue, according to a review of this year’s census figures by Election Data Services. While it’s not official, the company forecasts that New York will lose two seats to reapportionment before the 2012 elections, bringing its total to a mere 27. (This should make the already dysfunctional state redistricting process even more of train wreck.) Where are the seats going? Where else but Florida, which will gain two seats. This is only logical, as the vast majority of Floridians are elderly New Yorkers, anyhow. Texas, meanwhile, is slated to gain four House seats, which just seems like showing off.
Report: Fla. adds 2 seats, N.Y. loses [Politico]
