Census Data Accuracy
The 2020 decennial census experienced multiple complex problems that impacted census operations and, ultimately, appear to have impacted the quality of census data. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Census Bureau operations and timeline, displacement or limited access to certain populations, cancellation of quality control tests, reports of inadequate staffing, first-time use of online and phone response options, and controversial executive policy decisions resulting in litigation all disrupted a process that is typically planned and tested down to the smallest detail.
Following 2020, census experts will need to conduct a data quality assessment to determine how flawed the final census data is and where it is flawed, law and policy experts will need to determine possible options for remedial action, and the field will need to learn from this experience to avoid (or at least better plan for) such problems in the future.
Goal: Assess the impact of multiple complex problems on the accuracy of the 2020 decennial census, support corrective action as needed, and recommend policy improvements for future censuses.
Objectives:
- Assess the impact of multiple complex problems on 2020 decennial census data quality, including the extent of any inaccuracies overall and with respect to specific subpopulations.
- Support corrective action to remedy census data integrity and alternative options if census data are too flawed for certain uses.
- Recommend policy improvements for future censuses gleaned from assessment of the 2020 census.
Democracy Desk: Insights from Joyce's Annual Midwest Democracy Grantees Convening
Joyce’s Democracy program welcomed 40 leaders from organizations across the Great Lakes for Midwest Democracy Convening. State delegations shared insights from their spring elections, recent voting policy changes and concerns leading up to November.
Landmark settlement in lawsuit against Wisconsin fraudulent electors scheme
Two Joyce Foundation grantees recently reached settlement agreements in a legal case seeking to hold accountable individuals who played a key role in a scheme to submit a fraudulent slate of electors from Wisconsin in the 2020 presidential election.
Democracy Advocates Achieve Fair Maps Victory in Wisconsin
Wisconsin achieves a huge victory with the enactment of fair maps. This victory for Wisconsin voters is the result of many years of advocacy and litigation by nonpartisan watchdog groups that took the fight for fair maps to the Supreme Court.
Democracy Desk: Key themes to watch this election year
the first installment of Democracy Desk, an election year series highlighting key issues throughout the Great Lakes region, and spotlighting the work of our grantee partners to ensure free, fair, accessible, safe, and trusted elections.
Joyce Democracy Grantees Ramp Up Great Lakes Voter Education, Protection Efforts
Democracy nonpartisan organizations working to get out the vote in Great Lakes region.