The first data from the 2020 census has been released, and it appears New York will be losing one seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.
New York’s population has sunk compared with the fastest growing states in the southwest, not actually shrinking, but growing at a far lesser rate. New York and a half-dozen other states in the Northeast and California will lose at least one seat as a result.
Later data releases will guide a redistricting commission to be appointed by the state legislature and the governor in redrawing New York’s congressional district map. Speculation is the panel appointed by the Democratic-majority legislature will seek to get rid of the seat now held by Republican Tom Reed of Corning, who is not seeking re-election.
During a news conference, Census officials said New York fell 89 people short of being able to keep all its house seats, assuming population of all other states remained the same.