The congressional district map could look very different in 2022. The census data is out, and Texas appears to be the big winner of congressional reapportionment, picking up two seats.
Since representation in the 435 member U.S. House of Representatives is by population, it is typical every ten years after the census for districts to be shuffled around. States with declining population tend to lose seats, while states that are booming pick them up.
Texas is in the booming category, according to the most recent census. Colorado, Florida, Montana, North Carolina and Oregon will all gain one seat each.
The gains for Texas and other states with growing populations comes at the expense of California, Illinois, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, who will each lose a seat.
Texas currently has 36 congressional districts, so the two additions bring it up to 38. congressional districts will have to be redrawn this year by the state legislature. Where the two new districts will be in Texas has not yet been decided. People will elect representatives to the new districts in the 2022 election.
The addition of two congressional district will also increase Texas’ clout in the Electoral College. The Lone Star State gets an elector for each congressional district, plus one for each senator it has, meaning Texas will have 40 electoral votes in 2024.
Texas’ growth in political clout only heightens it’s importance as a must win state for Republican presidential candidates, and makes it all the more tempting a pickup opportunity for Democrats.
Texas Citizen Journal 