Another Delay for the Census: Now Expected for September Delivery

The pandemic and political mismanagement are continuing to have an effect on the 2020 Census.

1 minute read

February 15, 2021, 11:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


U.S. Census Bureau

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"The 2020 census data needed for the redrawing of voting districts around the country are extremely delayed and now expected by Sept. 30," reports Hansi Lo Wang. The delay, which has been fomenting for nearly a year now, coinciding with the arrival of the novel coronavirus to the United States, could " throw upcoming elections into chaos in states facing tight redistricting deadlines for Congress, as well as state and local offices," adds Wang.

Census data is now expected to be delayed six months past the March 31 legal deadline. The original deadline of December 31, et by Congress 40 years ago, has long since passed.

"The bureau has also pushed back the release of new state population counts that determine each state's new share of 435 seats in the House of Representatives and the Electoral College," according to Wang. "Those numbers are now expected sometime within the range of April 16-30."

Friday, February 12, 2021 in NPR

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