We have no choice but to add US states in 2021!

[Wanderlust988]

Welcome DC, PR, and the Pacific territories of Guam, Northern Marianas, and American Samoa to the United States.

The Pacific territories should become united as a single state. This would add 6 senators. This is the only way to save our democracy. Of course removing the filibuster should be first, but we can't survive as a country with 51 senators knowing a single heart attack can change the makeup of the country. We can't deal with this.

Then we can feel comfortable passing laws knowing that it'll be hard for Republicans to pay us back as regaining control would be a mountain for them for years to come.

[bcool]

1. Create more states by splitting ones?

If we add PR & DC, once the Repubs get back in power could they do something like split an existing state in two to get 2 more senators?

Like East and West Texas, for example?

[Cirque du So-What]

2. I recall reading that Texas negotiated the option

to divide itself into as many as five states when it entered the union.

[Wanderlust988]

3. That would require a vote by the people first

And even getting that on the ballot would be hard. We are adding territories, not splitting current states. It's not equivalent.

[Statistical]

4. Yes states can be formed by splitting existing states but it requires support of the state.

Yes states can be formed by splitting existing states and states can also merge to form a new state. You can even carve territory off two or more states to form a new states. However in all those scenarios it requires support of Congress and the state(s).

There is a lot of cultural and regional identity in states. Even though it provides political power not sure how likely the people of Texas would go for splitting Texas in half. I mean technically yes it can be done just not sure how viable it is.

New States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union; but no new State shall be formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any other State; nor any State be formed by the Junction of two or more States, or Parts of States, without the Consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned as well as of the Congress.

Article IV Section 3 US Constitution

[Angleae]

13. And yet it happened anyway

West Virginia broke away from Virginia and was admitted to the union in 1863 without consent of Virginia.

[Proud liberal 80]

5. East Texas wouldn't guarantee them Republican senators

[W_HAMILTON]

8. Yeah, I was just about to say.

Splitting up Texas at this point would probably work to our benefit more than the Republican's, heh.

[Hekate]

11. That's not going to happen

[texasfiddler]

6. If an island group existed that was populated

With white evangelicals that wanted to be a state, you can bet your ass they would be a state already and Democrats would be up in arms about it with a limited chance of running the Senate. I see an opportunity for Democrats! Splitting a state is hard as hell. I would at least try Puerto Rico.

[rickyhall]

7. Hopefully we can keep the Repugs from coming back without support of the people.

[roamer65]

9. State of Sequoyah.

Let’s break up Oklahoma!

DC
PR
Guam-NMI
Sequoyah

A 54 star flag!

[Hekate]

10. "We have no choice but to" is fantasy

There are always choices, and adding states is going to be about negotiation, I think.

[Silent3]

12. And merge the Dakotas

Don't need two of 'em.