Why it's so hard for states to break up

Unhappy with your state government? Good luck making a new one.

State of Jefferson
(Image credit: Brant Ward/San Francisco Chronicle/Corbis)

With the increased polarization of American politics in recent years, localities around the nation have sought to break free from their in-state foes and establish their own new states.

Forget the far-fetched secession plans floated in places like Texas, where disgruntled politicians have suggested severing themselves from the United States entirely. Intrastate rifts are different ideas altogether, ones which on the surface appear to be much more logistically feasible.

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Jon Terbush

Jon Terbush is an associate editor at TheWeek.com covering politics, sports, and other things he finds interesting. He has previously written for Talking Points Memo, Raw Story, and Business Insider.