Orlando J. Rodriguez

A total of five congressional seats were shifted in 2010 reapportionment because of the population of illegal immigrants nationwide. The three states with the largest population of unauthorized immigrants obtained a total of five additional congressional representatives. These states include California, Florida, and Texas.

States gaining representation because of the population of unauthorized (more…)

Nationwide in 2008, 58.2% of residents (age 18 and over) voted. However, the rate varied considerably across the country. Minnesota had the highest voter participation at 70.8% while Hawaii had the lowest at 46.8%.

Of the eight states that gained congressional representation after 2010 reapportionment, only Georgia, South Carolina, and Washington have a voter participation rate above the national average. The average voter participation rate for states gaining congressional representatives was 55.9%. In contrast, the average voter participation rate for states losing representatives was 62.1%, which is above the national average.

In particular, Texas was awarded the most new representatives (4), yet the state has the second lowest voter participation rate at 48.8%. Half of the states gaining representatives (AZ, NV, TX, UT) are among the bottom ten states in voter participation. (more…)