Monday was “Census Day” in Idaho and the Gem State is hoping for another strong showing in the upcoming population count.
Governor Brad Little is creating a new committee to help the federal government with their 2020 census count next April.
Called “The State Complete Count Committee,” the group will work to get an accurate tally of Idaho’s population, with a special emphasis on reaching out to historically undercounted populations.
That’s despite the Trump administration’s hope to add a question about a person’s citizenship, which experts say could lead to an undercount.
The U.S. Census Bureau counts the country’s population every 10 years. Those numbers determine how federal funds are doled out and how legislative districts are redrawn.
Gov. Little says Idaho was a top-performing state when it comes to people taking part in the 2010 census. He wants a repeat in 2020.
The committee will include current and former politicians. Groups like the Idaho Education Association, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Idaho Transportation Department, the Idaho Department of Labor and Health and Welfare will also join in. The group will hold its initial meeting later this summer.
Find Samantha Wright on Twitter @samwrightradio
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