Census results may shift political power to S. Nevada
By Guy Clifton, Reno Gazette-Journal
Nevada’s population shift to Southern Nevada will be reflected in the redrawing of representative districts, but whether it means seats will be added in the state Legislature for the first time in 30 years or whether Northern Nevada loses seats remains to be seen.
With Democrats in control of the Legislature and Republican Brian Sandoval in the governor’s office, a partisan battle is more than likely.
Public hearings will be held in Carson City, Fallon, Reno and Las Vegas over the next six weeks to let concerned citizens weigh in on the issue.
Based on Census population figures released Thursday, if the current number of 63 legislative districts stays in place, each of the 42 Assembly members would represent 64,299 residents and each of the 21 seantors 128,598 residents.
About 75 percent of the state’s population of 2.7 million lives in Southern Nevada, with 1.95 million in Clark County alone.