Census Bureau Releases Apportionment Data, Deadline Extension Still Needed

Census and Data Equity News 04.26,21

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 26, 2021
Contact: Laura Gonzales, [email protected]

WASHINGTON — Wade Henderson, interim president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, released the below statement on the release of apportionment data collected in the 2020 Census:

“The Census Bureau’s task of measuring the population and apportioning congressional seats is a cornerstone of our democracy — which is why it was paramount the bureau’s expert staff had adequate time to properly calculate apportionment counts. Given the circumstances surrounding the 2020 Census — a historic pandemic, catastrophic natural disasters, and political interference from the previous administration — it was impossible for the bureau to responsibly release the apportionment data on its original timeline. While it is still too early to judge the success of the 2020 Census, we applaud the bureau for releasing operational metrics at the state level earlier than in any previous count.

“As we look toward the redistricting data releases later this summer, Congress must pass the bipartisan Census Deadlines Extensions Act so bureau employees, state and local officials, and the public can have greater certainty in the redistricting data release timeline.”

Background 

  • More information on the Census Bureau’s recently released quality indicators is available here.
  • The Leadership Conference Education Fund’s apportionment data FAQ explainer is available here.
  • The Census Bureau’s Historical Apportionment Data Map is available here.

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights is a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 220 national organizations to promote and protect the rights of all persons in the United States. The Leadership Conference works toward an America as good as its ideals. For more information on The Leadership Conference and its member organizations, visit www.civilrights.org.

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