New report details how census data signals a massive shift in the 'balance of power'
America's population is undergoing significant changes as time progresses, according to new data released by the U.S. Census Bureau. CBS News reports the latest data appears to align with projections made by demographers.
The publication reports that statistics show "the United States is getting more multiracial even faster than expected." The statistics also show that the percentage of white Americans has also decreased substantially. The latest information indicates that the white population is at 61.6% which is nearly a 15% decline from the 2000 Census data which was 75%.
As America's demographic progressively changes, power shifts are also expected to tilt the balance of power. CBS News political correspondent Ed O'Keefe also noted that he believes the changes could indicate a significant shift in U.S. politics. Although Democrats control Congress by only a small margin, they may be gaining ground over the long term. With a diversifying America, the Democratic Party could be poised for a wider margin of control.
Michael Goff, Maryland president of Common Cause, also weighed in on the political shifts taking place during the redistricting period: "The politician chooses their district and their voters, and if they don't like a group of their voters, they can carve them off and move them someplace else. They can create their own safe district, what we call safe seats."
He added, "It's a once-in-ten-year process. Probably the most important political development of the next ten years is happening in the next few months, and most voters don't even know about it."
Arturo Vargas, the CEO of the National Association of Latino Elected Officials (NALEO), also offered his perspective on the rise in the United States' Latino population.
"The future of this nation really is Latino," said Vargas. "Latinos accounted for over half of the U.S. population increase over the past decade. We need to make sure that the new electoral districts that are going to be drawn reflect these population changes, and specifically the increase of the Latino population, which we saw actually happening in America's largest cities."
