What's Happening?
The Census Bureau is scaling back its 2026 field test for the 2030 census, reducing test sites from six to two and planning to use U.S. Postal Service staff instead of temporary census workers. The test, initially designed to improve the accuracy of the upcoming
census, will now only be conducted in Huntsville, Alabama, and Spartanburg, South Carolina. The bureau has also cut plans for Spanish- and Chinese-language versions of the online form, limiting it to English. These changes have raised concerns about the bureau's ability to conduct an accurate count.
Why It's Important?
The cutbacks could impact the accuracy of the 2030 census, which is crucial for redistributing political representation and federal funding. The decision to use postal workers may not be cost-effective and could affect the quality of data collection. Communities, especially those historically undercounted, may face challenges in being accurately represented, potentially affecting resource allocation and political representation.
What's Next?
The Census Bureau may face pressure from lawmakers and advocacy groups to reverse these cutbacks. There could be increased scrutiny on the bureau's planning and execution of the census. The involvement of postal workers will require coordination with the USPS, and the effectiveness of this approach will be closely monitored.
