Though the shift of seats to the Sunbelt continues a geographic trend started in the 1950s, it is not likely to duplicate previous gains by Republicans from Democrats. Most of the growth is in suburban areas, where Democrats have become increasingly competitive. In most states, legislatures draw the new lines, then the plan is signed by the governor. Neither party is in a position to dominate redistricting in the states gaining or losing the seats. Republicans control the process in Florida, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Ohio.
Democrats have control in Georgia, Indiana, Mississippi and North Carolina.
The rest are split, except in Arizona, where a non-partisan commission draws the new lines. The reapportionment figures are just the first Census numbers that will have wide political implications. In March, more data detailing national and local populations are to be released. Those numbers will show where the precise population gains and losses occurred. They are the ones used to redraw congressional and state legislative districts.