Why Texas Now Has 38 Representatives
Texas, a truly vast state with a vibrant history, has seen its voice in the United States Congress grow significantly. For anyone wondering, "Why does Texas have 38 representatives?", the simple answer really comes down to population shifts and the way our country manages its legislative representation. It's a fascinating story of growth and the mechanics of democracy, and it shows just how much Texas has changed over the years.
The journey to 38 representatives is a fairly recent development, rooted in the latest nationwide population count. You know, every ten years, the United States takes a close look at how many people live in each state. This count, the U.S. Census, plays a huge part in deciding how many seats each state gets in the House of Representatives, and that, in turn, affects a state's overall political power. So, it's a very big deal for states like Texas.
This increase in representatives means Texas has an even larger presence when laws are made and decisions are reached in Washington, D.C. It reflects a considerable rise in the number of people calling Texas home, a trend that has been quite noticeable for some time now. In a way, it’s a direct reflection of the state’s changing demographics and its continued appeal to new residents.
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Table of Contents
- The Story Behind Texas's Growing Voice in Congress
- Understanding Representation and Electoral Votes
- The Current Landscape of Texas's Congressional Delegation
- Common Questions About Texas's Representation
The Story Behind Texas's Growing Voice in Congress
A Look Back at Texas's Congressional Journey
Texas has a really long and interesting past when it comes to its role in the United States Congress. After Texas was annexed as a state in December 1845, it started sending individuals to both the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate. Over the years, the number of people representing Texas in the House has changed, mostly based on how many people live in the state. It's almost like a living, breathing history book, you know, with each census telling a new chapter about its population.
For a very long time, different people have served in these important roles, shaping laws and policies for the whole country. The way Texas has grown and changed has always been reflected in its congressional delegation. So, the fact that it has 38 representatives today is just the latest step in a journey that began way back in the mid-1800s, showing its ongoing evolution.
The 2020 Census and What It Meant for Texas
The biggest reason Texas now has 38 representatives comes directly from the 2020 U.S. Census. On April 26, 2021, the United States Census Bureau released the results of congressional reapportionment. These results showed that Texas would be adding two new congressional districts, bringing its total number of seats in the U.S. House of Representatives to 38. This change started with the 118th Congress, which began in January 2023, so it’s fairly new.
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It's quite a significant change, actually. Texas was one of only six states to gain seats after the 2020 Census, and it was the only state that managed to gain more than one. This really highlights the considerable population growth Texas has experienced over the last decade. It’s a clear sign that many people are choosing to make Texas their home, and that, in turn, boosts the state's influence on the national stage.
How New Districts Come to Be
When a state gains new congressional seats, like Texas did, the next step is to draw new district lines. This process is called redistricting, and it's based on the latest federal decennial census numbers. Texas, as a result of the 2020 census, went from having 36 districts, which it had after the 2010 census, to its current 38 congressional districts. This is a pretty big undertaking, as it involves making sure each district has a similar number of people.
In Texas, the state legislature handles this important job. The 87th Legislature, during its 3rd called session, passed a specific plan for the United States House of Representatives redistricting. This plan, known as S.B. 6 or PlanC2193, was approved on October 19, 2021. It was put into effect in January 2023, just in time for the new congressional term. Each of these new districts, you know, has an ideal population of about 766,987 people, based on the 2020 census data. This ensures that representation remains fair across the state, which is really important.
Understanding Representation and Electoral Votes
What a Representative Does
A congressional representative, sometimes called a congressman or congresswoman, is someone elected to speak for a specific congressional district. They serve a two-year term, and their main job is to represent the people living in their district in the U.S. House of Representatives. They vote on laws, bring up issues important to their communities, and work to get resources for their areas. It's a very direct link between the local community and the federal government.
The law actually sets a limit on how many members can be in the House of Representatives; there will be a maximum of 435 members in total. This means that when one state gains seats, other states might lose them, or the growth just gets distributed. So, Texas gaining two seats was quite a notable event because it directly impacted the balance of representation across the country, showing how dynamic the system can be.
Texas's Electoral College Power
Texas has a total of 40 electoral college votes, and this number is directly tied to its representation in Congress. The number of electoral votes a state has is equal to its number of representatives in the House plus its two senators. So, with 38 representatives and two senators, Texas totals 40 electoral votes. This structure, you know, is also based on the U.S. Census, which happens every ten years, so it changes as populations shift.
The recent increase in congressional seats truly strengthens Texas's significant representation in national elections. When it comes to presidential elections, Texas, like 47 other states and the District of Columbia, awards all its electoral votes to the candidate who wins the statewide popular vote. This means that winning Texas is a very big deal for any presidential candidate, given the large number of votes it carries, which is pretty influential.
The Idea of Equal Representation
While Texas may have more representatives than many other states, it's really important to remember a core principle of our system: each representative represents roughly the same number of people. This means that a Texan's vote is not worth more than, say, a Missourian's vote. The system aims for fairness, so that everyone's voice carries similar weight in the House, no matter where they live.
After the 2020 census, each Texas state representative, on average, represented about 194,555 residents. This number is a bit higher than after the 2010 census, when each member represented around 168,456 residents. This increase in the number of people per representative reflects the overall population growth in the state. It shows that even with more representatives, the goal is still to keep the representation per person as equal as possible across the districts, which is quite a challenge to manage.
The Current Landscape of Texas's Congressional Delegation
Who Represents District 38 and Beyond
Texas now has 38 congressional representatives, which is more seats than any other state gained in the latest reapportionment. Currently, the political makeup of Texas's House delegation shows Republicans holding 25 seats and Democrats holding 12, with one seat vacant after the passing of Sylvester Turner, a former Houston mayor. This balance can shift, of course, with elections and other events.
For example, you can use an interactive map to find out who represents a specific congressional district, like Texas's 38th congressional district (TX38). Erin Gamez, a Democrat, represents Texas House of Representatives District 38 at the state level. It's helpful to know who your specific representative is, as they are your direct link to the federal government. There are also some retirements happening, particularly in North Texas, which will open up some seats for new candidates, like Colin Allred, a Dallas Democrat who is trying to run for Senate, so things are always moving.
The Bigger Picture: House and Senate
The United States Congress is made up of two distinct parts: the House of Representatives and the Senate. Texas has two senators in the United States Senate, just like every other state, regardless of its population. The Senate is often called the "upper house," and its members serve six-year terms, representing their entire state. This means the two senators speak for all Texans, which is a pretty big job.
The House of Representatives, on the other hand, has seats apportioned by state population, with each state getting at least one representative. Texas, with its 38 representatives, has a very significant voice in this body. This bicameral system, meaning two chambers, is also how the Texas state legislature works, with the Texas Senate as the upper house and the Texas House of Representatives as the lower house. It's interesting to note that every other state has a bicameral legislature, except for Nebraska, which is quite unique in that regard.
You can learn more about how the U.S. government works on our site, and also find information about your local representatives.
Common Questions About Texas's Representation
How often do congressional seats change?
Congressional seats are reapportioned among the states every ten years. This happens right after the U.S. Census is completed. The number of representatives a state has can go up or down, or stay the same, depending on how its population has changed relative to other states. So, it's a decennial event, tied directly to the population count, which makes it a very predictable cycle.
Which states gained representatives in the 2020 census?
After the 2020 Census, six states gained representatives. Texas was among these states, gaining two seats, which was more than any other state. Other states that saw an increase in their congressional representation included Colorado, Florida, Montana, North Carolina, and Oregon. This shift reflects population movements across the country over the last decade, showing where people are choosing to live and grow.
What is the difference between congressional representatives and senators?
The main difference between congressional representatives and senators is how they represent their constituents and the length of their terms. Each state has two senators, regardless of its population, and they serve six-year terms, representing the entire state. Representatives, however, are based on population, with states having varying numbers of them, and they serve two-year terms, representing specific districts within their state. So, senators have a broader, statewide focus, while representatives have a more localized, district-specific role, which is a pretty clear distinction.
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