An earlier census could allow Republican-led states to redraw congressional districts before the 2026 midterms.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis says the Trump administration 'considered' ordering a new U.S. Census ahead of schedule, challenging long-standing norms on apportionment.The next U.S. Census isn't officially scheduled until 2030.
Newsweek reached out to the White House via email Wednesday for additional comment.Why It MattersPresident Donald Trump has made immigration policy a centerpiece for his second term.The outcome of an earlier census could reshape congressional representation and federal resource allocation for years to come.The U.S. Constitution mandates a decennial census to count all residents, regardless of citizenship. This data is not only integral for congressional seat allocation but also federal funding distribution.What to Know'I know they've considered doing another census,' DeSantis said Wednesday in Tampa, adding that if conducted, the count should exclude undocumented immigrants. He argued the 2020 census had swindled Florida out of a congressional seat by undercounting its population, saying, 'We would love for them to redo the census for '26.'While district lines are typically redrawn following each decennial census, DeSantis pointed out there are no legal obstacles to mid-decade redistricting.The governor's remarks reflect a broader Republican push—supported by Trump—to cobble new electoral maps in advance of the 2026 midterms.An earlier census could allow Republican-led states to redraw congressional districts before the 2026 midterms, potentially shifting political power in their favor. It could also open the door to excluding undocumented immigrants from population counts—an approach that may reduce representation and federal funding for Democratic-leaning, immigrant-rich areas.'How many seats would California lose if you only counted lawful people,' DeSantis asked during the news conference. 'They would lose a lot of seats, because they're a sanctuary state.''For us, you know, we would stand to gain because we did not spend money ... to try to count illegals because I don't think that that's constitutionally proper,' the Florida governor said.DeSantis later added, 'I do think the Trump administration is going to put in for a census that is not going to count foreign nationals, that it's just going to count U.S. citizens.'What People Are SayingGeorgia Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene this month on X: 'Yesterday, President Trump and Governor DeSantis both expressed strong support for my bill to Make American Elections Great Again! Here's what it does:1️⃣ Orders a new census counting citizens only.2️⃣ Directs states to redraw House districts based on that count.3️⃣ Requires that only American citizens can vote in federal elections.Blue states padded their power by counting millions of illegal aliens. This bill fixes it. Let's get it done! 🇺🇸'Political analyst and Dillard University Professor Robert Collins told Newsweek via text message on Wednesday: 'It would certainly draw a court challenge from civil rights groups, because the Constitution specifically calls for an 'enumeration of persons,' which constitutional scholars have almost always interpreted it to mean all persons. Not just citizens. Most scholars agree that if the Founding Fathers intended for only citizens to be counted, they would've explicitly stated that in the text.'Update 7/30/25, 7:10 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information and a new headline.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Stark first photos from inside 'Alligator Alcatraz' reveal bleak digs for up to 5,000 migrantsTrump tours Florida migrant detention center 'Alligator Alcatraz' with Gov. Ron DeSantis
Read more »
Trump and Ron DeSantis put aside rivalry at 'Alligator Alcatraz': 'You'll always be my friend'Matt Dixon is a senior national politics reporter for NBC News, based in Florida.
Read more »
Trump says his relationship with one-time rival DeSantis now a '9.9'Trump and Gov. DeSantis showcase their renewed relationship at 'Alligator Alcatraz,' a migrant detention center built in eight days as part of Trump's immigration policy.
Read more »
Trump admin to open nation's largest immigration detention center in Texas with $1.2B contractTrump tours Florida migrant detention center 'Alligator Alcatraz' with Gov. Ron DeSantis
Read more »
Deportation flights from Florida's 'Alligator Alcatraz' have started, Ron DeSantis saysThe Associated Press
Read more »
‘He fumbled this 1,000%’: How Ron DeSantis keeps making powerful enemies in Trump’s GOPRon DeSantis keeps picking fights that come back to haunt him, most recently with Trump’s pick for RNC chair.
Read more »