The express purpose of the census as explicitly mandated in the Constitution is for the purpose of determining apportionment of legislative districts.
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 (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 therefore unconstitutional.
The 1850 census asked the place of birth for every person listed. Was that wrong? Some census records in other years asked for where your father and mother were born. Was that wrong?
DD Wiz over 6 years ago
The express purpose of the census as explicitly mandated in the Constitution is for the purpose of determining apportionment of legislative districts.
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 (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 therefore unconstitutional.
Diane Lee Premium Member over 6 years ago
The census people know nothing about the people being counted. Just say “yes” when they ask. “Si” is not recommended.
Daeder over 6 years ago
I’m still not sure how to answer: “How many taco trucks are on the corner of your block?”
Fontessa over 6 years ago
The 1850 census asked the place of birth for every person listed. Was that wrong? Some census records in other years asked for where your father and mother were born. Was that wrong?