CONTACT: Lisa Subeck, 608-266-7521(office)

MADISON – On Monday, State Representative Lisa Subeck (D-Madison) joined a bipartisan group of more than 150 state and local elected officials and municipalities around the country in challenging the addition of a citizenship question to the 2020 census. The group filed an amicus brief in support of plaintiffs in Department of Commerce v. New York, currently before the U.S. Supreme Court, which addresses the important issue of whether a citizenship question should be added to the 2020 census.

The addition of a citizenship question in the 2020 census would significantly impair the accuracy of the census by discouraging households with noncitizens from participating, potentially leading to an undercount of communities of color and undermining the fair allocation of more than $900 billion in federal funds.

“Every single Wisconsinite should stand up and be counted in the 2020 census without fear. The addition of a citizenship question is nothing more than an attempt to weaponize the census against marginalized communities by diluting their political influence,” said Rep. Subeck.  

 The addition of a citizenship question would result in inaccurate census data and divert hundreds of millions of dollars away from vital programs that support public education, nutrition, health care, victims of crime, community development, rehabilitation centers and unemployment insurance, among so many others. Put simply, the improper allocation of this funding—away from those who need it most—will negatively impact the lives of millions of Americans, including many right here in Wisconsin.

“I urge the Supreme Court to affirm the decision of the lower court and ensure the proper allocation of federal resources by rejecting the inclusion of a citizenship question,” said Rep. Subeck.

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