The proposed census question is (was) unconstitutional and the courts were right to strike it down.
The express purpose of the census as explicitly mandated in the Constitution is for the purpose of determining apportionment of legislative districts. And that apportionment is based on the number of PEOPLE (without regard to voting status or immigration status) in each district.
Certainly it is also an excellent opportunity to collect additional demographic data that is useful in determining public policy needs, and one could argue that citizenship vs. non-citizenship is useful demographic data.
But IF any aspect of collecting demographic data (which is NOT the Constitutionally-stated purpose) interferes with the specific, expressed Constitutional purpose by reducing participation, then collection of that data violates the Constitution.
The citizenship question is (was) therefore unconstitutional.
DD Wiz Premium Member about 5 years ago
The proposed census question is (was) unconstitutional and the courts were right to strike it down.
The express purpose of the census as explicitly mandated in the Constitution is for the purpose of determining apportionment of legislative districts. And that apportionment is based on the number of PEOPLE (without regard to voting status or immigration status) in each district.
Certainly it is also an excellent opportunity to collect additional demographic data that is useful in determining public policy needs, and one could argue that citizenship vs. non-citizenship is useful demographic data.
But IF any aspect of collecting demographic data (which is NOT the Constitutionally-stated purpose) interferes with the specific, expressed Constitutional purpose by reducing participation, then collection of that data violates the Constitution.
The citizenship question is (was) therefore unconstitutional.
Templo S.U.D. about 5 years ago
So where is the real Cuco?
sirbadger about 5 years ago
Hopefully, that judge will be overruled. I think that it is a damn good question and should be on the census.