2020 Census Could Have ‘Serious Errors,’ Document Finds, Which Could Have Lasting Impacts

TOPLINE

The 2020 U.S. Census could have “serious errors” if current deadlines remain, according to an internal Census Bureau document released Wednesday, which could have major impacts when it comes to Congressional redistricting and the distribution of federal funds.

KEY FACTS

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

An improper headcount could have significant impacts on the U.S. politically and economically over the next decade. Population counts from the Census are used to determine how many seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives, and the data is also used to determine the level of federal funding that is sent to local communities.

CRITICAL QUOTE

“The Committee has now obtained an internal Census Bureau analysis from August warning that forcing the Census Bureau to complete the 2020 Census without extending the statutory deadlines could significantly degrade its accuracy and completeness,” Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) said in a letter to Congressional leadership.  “Census Bureau leaders did not produce this document to the Committee, but the Committee obtained it from another source.”

KEY BACKGROUND

The House passed extensions to Census deadlines as part of the Heroes Act, which the Senate has not taken up. President Donald Trump’s administration had signaled support early in the pandemic for extending Census deadlines, but it has since reversed course, while Trump has ordered undocumented immigrants to be excluded from the 2020 headcount.

FURTHER READING

Trump To Sign Memorandum Excluding Illegal Immigrants From Congressional Representation (Forbes)