California

South Bay Leaders Tackle Citizenship Question on 2020 Census

Leaders in Santa Clara County on Tuesday are slated to announce their response to a controversial question on the 2020 census asking people about their citizenship.

The concern among those frustrated with the question is that it could lead to fewer people being counted. California's attorney general has already sued the federal government, arguing that undercounting could shift federal funding and congressional seats out of the Golden State.

One South Bay supervisor wants to counter the citizenship question by making sure anyone who can vote does. The voter outreach and census question push-back effort comes as part of an outreach program marking the 100th anniversary of women gaining the right to vote.

The United States Department of Justice wants to include the citizenship question to enforce minority protections under the Voting Rights Act. The 1950 census was the last one that included the citizenship question.

If people do not answer the citizenship question, the United States Census Bureau may fill in the missing data using other government records.

The announcement from South Bay leaders is expected to take place at 9 a.m. at the Santa Clara County Building.

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