Mass. Expected To Lose House Seat
BOSTON (AP) -- Massachusetts is expected to lose a congressional seat when the new Census figures are released.
The U.S. Census Bureau will release the results of its once-a-decade count at 11 a.m. Tuesday, and all signs are toward a population shift from the North to the South -- and a shift in U.S. House seats along with it.
Massachusetts currently has 10 House seats. If, as expected, it loses one on Tuesday, state lawmakers will have to decide how to get rid of one congressman.
Population distribution will guide how congressional districts are redrawn. If the territory has to be split into nine districts instead of 10, it would likely force a runoff between two current members in 2012 -- unless one retires beforehand.
So far, no member has indicated he or she would leave voluntarily.
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