When Congress is divided up in 2022, New York is probably going to lose another congressional seat. It's another reminder that the Empire State may be growing, but it isn't growing as fast as some other states.
The preliminary figures are already suggesting the New York delegation will drop from 27 to 26, far from the 45 members growing out of the 1930 and 1940 Census. As populations have shifted, that membership has dropped.
What won't be known until the lines are drawn after the 2020 Census is where that seat will vanish, Upstate or Downstate.
"We were growing but not as fast as the rest of the nation. Obviously, states like Texas and Florida and California are outpacing us in that regard," explained Kevin Hardwick, Erie County Legislator and Canisius College political science professor.
"So, we're going to continue to lose political clout. Not only do we lose a seat in the House of Representatives but obviously we lose an Elector when it comes to electing the president."
With the prospect of one less congressional seat, Hardwick says that may affect the decisions people make if they want one of the remaining congressional seats or to hold on to one they already have, with two presidential elections and a congressional election between now and the new lines.
