The decennial census is the basis for district maps that are typically redrawn only once every ten years.

If the census is systematically biased, certain groups, like people of color, will lose political power. The 2020 Census has faced many challenges, including underfunding, attempts to skew the data with a citizenship question, deadlines during a global pandemic, and the implementation of new privacy protections. How we deal with these issues will affect how census data will be used in drawing district plans. The lessons we learn should be the starting point for a fair and accurate 2030 Census.

ELC promotes a fair and accurate census by advocating for policies and procedures that either eliminate or correct for bias that skews accurate numbers.