Pa. likely to lose an electoral vote in 2020

The U.S. Census is conducted every 10 years, and in each one since the 1920s, Pennsylvania has lost at least one congressional district. As a result, every 10 years, it has also shed at least one electoral vote.

This year, population data show the commonwealth is on track to continue that trend, and it’s not the only one.

The Keystone State currently has 20 electoral votes — tied with Illinois for fifth most in the country.

The votes are distributed by population. And according to a demographics report from the Election Data Services, several states in the North and East — including Pennsylvania, Michigan, New York and Ohio — are likely to lose at least one congressional seat in 2020.

Meanwhile, Texas could gain up to three seats, and Florida could pick up two. Arizona, North Carolina, Colorado and Oregon are also likely to gain a seat.

Those projections are in line with analysis done this year by the Pew Research Center that shows states in the South and West are growing more quickly than those in the North and East.

It’s unclear if any shifts will have meaningful political implications. However, it’s worth noting that if the 2016 election had happened with these projected conditions, Donald Trump would have won with an additional two electoral votes.

A representative from the Penn State Data Center said more information on state demographics will be out next month.