You know...I REALLY like this idea too. 12 Senators invites more participation, and more consensus building when they get in office. Plus the difference between "majority" and "supermajority" is more than just a single vote when a seat is vacant.
Perhaps shuffling Ohio the the Blue Midwest, and then Minessota to the Great Plains, that would solve the representation vacancy? The single 8-state-region being the sparcely populated Great Plains I think is an intuitive solution.
Niles, regions do not effect Senate Seats....