Census

The University of South Florida College Republicans and the Pinellas County Young Republicans this week filed a federal lawsuit arguing that improper statistical methods were used in the 2020 U.S. census. The lawsuit, which names as defendants the leaders of the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Census Bureau, seeks to require a new 2020 census report that does not use the disputed methods and to prevent use of the methods in the 2030 census.

Florida residents were undercounted in the last census, although Southwest Florida counties did pretty well at responding.

The 2020 U.S. Census data shows that Fort Myers has not only grown in population, but that its composition has changed drastically too, with a significant bump in diversity.

The City of Fort Myers will begin hosting redistricting public meetings starting December 2, 2021. Find out how to participate in the process to update the City's Ward boundaries based on the the 2020 Census results.

The Lee Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday voted to move forward with Map Alternative 5 as the selected map for the 2021 redistricting process. One commissioner openly expressed his disappointment in the decision, and advocates wanting to reunite Dunbar and Fort Myers say a lawsuit may be incoming.

The second Lee County redistricting public hearing was open to discuss the proposed maps that could redraw district lines within the county. During the public comment portion, residents and concerned groups called for more inclusion throughout the decision-making process.

The U.S. Census Bureau has extended its deadline to October 31st to ensure all people in the United States are counted.

Immokalee has historically been undercounted during the decadal U.S. Census counts. In 2010 about 34% of residents participated, and with just weeks left to go that number is currently less than 25%. We learn about efforts to increase those numbers with two members of the League of Women Voters of Collier County's Complete Census Count Committee.

As the new coronavirus continues to spread, and many businesses are shutting down as social distancing guidelines are extended, one part of the local…

The Supreme Court will decide this month whether the Trump administration can include a question about citizenship on the 2020 Census, and Florida...