The House Oversight and Accountability Committee has launched an investigation into significant errors in the 2020 Census, which are believed to impact the allocation of congressional seats and Electoral College votes in a way that favors Democratic states.
A letter sent by Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) to the Census Bureau questions the communication between the agency, the Biden-Harris administration, and the Commerce Department regarding these alarming discrepancies, as the Daily Signal reports.
The errors were first identified in a 2021 Post-Enumeration Survey (PES) released by the Census Bureau, which highlighted overcounts in several states. The mistakes have raised concerns that they may have led to the misallocation of congressional representation, disproportionately benefiting Democratic-leaning states. Comer’s letter to Census Bureau Director Robert Santos specifically raises the possibility that these miscounts resulted in an unfair apportionment of representatives.
The PES identified overcounts in states such as New York, Massachusetts, and Hawaii, while undercounts were discovered in states like Texas, Florida, and Mississippi. Comer emphasized that six of the eight overcounted states have historically voted for Democratic presidential candidates over the past three decades.
In his letter, Comer expressed particular concern over how even small population discrepancies could tip the balance in Congress. “Even relatively small differences in population count can affect congressional representation,” he wrote, adding that these miscounts likely led to the erroneous apportionment of congressional seats. While the errors may seem minor on the surface, Comer warned that the undercounted states, many of which lean Republican, could lose significant political influence due to the Census Bureau’s mistakes.
Comer’s investigation also seeks answers about how the Census Bureau communicated these findings with the Biden-Harris administration and the Department of Commerce. He questioned whether there were any discussions or decisions made that might have influenced how these errors were reported or handled.
The PES, which helps measure the accuracy of the census, found substantial miscounts in both Democratic- and Republican-leaning states. Still, the states that benefited from overcounts tend to be Democratic strongholds, further raising concerns about political bias, whether intentional or not. States such as New York, Minnesota, and Delaware saw overcounts, while Republican-leaning states like Florida, Texas, and Arkansas experienced undercounts. These errors could shift congressional power between the states, Comer argued.
Comer’s letter stressed that population miscounts, even by a small margin, could alter a state’s representation in Congress. “Undercounts or overcounts can be the deciding factor between a state gaining or losing an additional representative in its delegation,” Comer wrote. He also noted that no similar errors were reported in the 2010 Census, raising further questions about the 2020 process.
The stakes are high, with Comer pointing out that population counts directly affect the distribution of political power across the country. States like Florida and Texas, which were undercounted, have been growing rapidly, and even a slight underrepresentation could cost them critical seats in Congress and influence in the Electoral College. A Census Bureau spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment before the publication of this article, leaving many questions unanswered about the bureau’s process and the potential consequences of the 2020 miscounts.
Comer has made it clear that his investigation is far from over. He is pressing the Census Bureau for detailed information about how the miscounts were allowed to occur and what steps, if any, have been taken to correct the errors. He also questioned why these significant errors were not identified sooner.
The outcome of the investigation could have serious implications, not only for the states directly impacted by the miscounts but also for the integrity of the Census Bureau itself. Comer’s focus on the Biden-Harris administration’s involvement has raised the political stakes, suggesting that the errors could have wider-reaching consequences. “Significantly, these errors likely led to an erroneous apportionment of representatives among the states,” Comer wrote, underscoring the potential magnitude of the situation. Whether the miscounts were intentional or not, the effect on political representation is undeniable, he argued.
The 2020 Census results play a critical role in determining not only congressional representation but also the number of Electoral College votes each state holds in presidential elections. With six of the eight overcounted states having consistently voted for Democratic presidential candidates in recent years, Comer has raised concerns about potential bias in the process.
As Comer’s investigation continues, the implications of the 2020 Census errors will likely be debated by both Republicans and Democrats. The accuracy of the Census is fundamental to the functioning of American democracy, and any miscounts, whether intentional or accidental, can have a profound impact on political power distribution.
