We have grown comfortable with our even fifty states, and the thought of that number going up to fifty one seems impossible, but it may just happen. With political disputes in the state of Arizona, The Pima County Democratic Party is trying to secede Southern Arizona from the rest of the state.
Differences Between the North and the South
The idea of separating southern Arizona, known as Baja Arizona, from Arizona itself has been around for years, as long as there have been political disagreements between the regions. The north is more conservative, while the south is more liberal. South Arizonians consider the north to be inching more and more towards a Confederate stance on politics, and behaving like it is against the Union. The south believes the north to be over concerned with Republican values, and negligent of the real issues.
Is it Really Possible?
Getting the motion approved with be a struggle, from getting on the ballot, then getting approved by the legislature or from the state voters. Then there is the issue of a new state constitution, and then Congress and the President would have to give the okay as well. But it is definitely possible. Southern Arizona, more specifically Pima County, has over one million residents. Montana, Vermont, and Wyoming have smaller populations than that. Physically, Pima is bigger than some states, including Connecticut and Rhode Island. History proves that it’s possible, the evidence being Maine (once a part of Massachusetts) and West Virginia (once a part of Virginia).
Residents of Baja Arizona say that their differences are too great, and it is far beyond political parties. It would be a lengthy process for the secession to go through, but if it does, we will have to start getting used to a 51st state.