MICHIGAN – On Monday, the Census Bureau released numbers used for determining how many congressional seats and Electoral College votes each state gets.
The release of the apportionment numbers Monday afternoon comes almost four months later than planned because of delays caused by the pandemic and anomalies discovered in the data as the numbers were being crunched.
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The numbers are state population counts that show how many residents each state has gained or lost over the past decade.
The 435 seats in the House of Representatives are divided among the states based on population. As growing states get more congressional seats because of population gains, that means fewer seats for states that lost population or didn’t grow as fast.
As of now some information has been released including data showing the US population has risen to 331,449,281. The 7.4% increase is the second slowest ever, according to the Census Bureau.
Slow population growth has led to Ohio losing one congressional seat.
The 2020 Census shows Michigan growth lagging, costing the state a US House seat.
DETAILS: Census shows Michigan growth lags, costing state a US House
Additionally, 2020 US Census count shows California losing a House seat. Meanwhile, Texas, Florida and Colorado will gain House seats.
“While expected, it is disappointing that Michigan will lose a seat in Congress. Even though Michigan’s population is growing, it is not growing as fast as other states. As a Member of Congress in our state’s congressional delegation, I will continue to work every day to ensure that Michigan families have a voice in Washington. Ensuring fair maps and ending partisan gerrymandering is important to ensuring Michiganders have a voice in our democracy. That is why I support and have confidence in Michigan’s Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission, passed overwhelmingly by Michigan voters, that will draw the new congressional districts. Voters should choose their elected officials,” said Democratic Michigan Rep. Dan Kildee.
He added, “It is unfortunate that Michigan Republicans are pushing extreme legislation, right now in the State Legislature, that makes it harder to vote. Dozens of bills have been introduced to remove secure ballot drop boxes or make it more difficult for people to vote by absentee ballot. We must all speak out against attempts to suppress the vote.”