LAS VEGAS -- Nevada will be getting a fourth congressional seat in 2013. Numbers from the recent census shows Nevada was the fastest growing state in the country.
The major political parties say they were expecting the announcement of the added seat. Now it is the waiting the game to see how the legislature divides the boundaries. But for the Silver State, the new seat comes with a lot of plusses.
"For infrastructure, for roads, for education, it's clearly an advantage having more representatives seeking more funds for our state," said UNLV political science professor Dr. Ken Fernandez.
Dr. Fernandez explains how the state stands to benefit from the new seat. This summer, census crews worked to make sure everyone in the state was accounted for. Those numbers showed an increase in population.
Nevada state legislators will decide the boundaries of the new district and also re-draw the lines of the state's three existing districts.
Clark County Democrats and Republicans say they are already working in making sure voters are ready.
"I think it's a great opportunity to get Democrats involved in the process and to follow the process and once the boundaries are drawn, then we can start our work," said Carl Bunce with the Clark County Republican Party.
Nevada's population grew by 35 percent over the past 10 years. Both the Democrats and Republicans do agree the new seat is a good thing for voters, giving them more representation.
Governor-elect Brian Sandoval's Office responded to the announcement saying he, "plans to work with both the Assembly and the Senate to ensure the process is fair and balanced."
