States to reflect the nation’s changing demography

  Every 10 years following the decennial census, the 435 seats in Congress are reallocated among the states to reflect the nation’s changing demography. Reallocation of seats in Congress is the first step of the redistricting process. Once each state knows the number of districts coming their way, the state legislature must decide where and how based on population growth and of course - political strategies. California, New York, Pennsylvania, and Illinois each lost a district. They represent four of the most powerful six states in the country. Texas and Florida are the other two most powerful states and they each gained districts. Michigan and West Virginia also lost in the last census. When a state loses a district from the census it means people are leaving that state and moving to another state.