Make It Count Act
Summary
The "Make It Count Act" proposes several changes to the decennial census and congressional redistricting. It mandates a citizenship question on the census, requires reporting of census statistics disaggregated by citizenship status, and modifies the apportionment of Representatives based on the number of U.S. citizens instead of the total population. The bill also aims to limit states to one congressional redistricting after each decennial census, except when required by court order to comply with the Constitution or the Voting Rights Act.
Expected Effects
If enacted, the bill would change how the population is counted for apportionment, potentially shifting political power among states. The inclusion of a citizenship question could affect census response rates, particularly among non-citizen populations. Limiting redistricting could reduce gerrymandering but might also hinder necessary adjustments for population shifts within states.
Potential Benefits
- Could lead to a more accurate count of citizens for apportionment purposes, according to proponents.
- May reduce the frequency of gerrymandering by limiting redistricting.
- Provides more detailed census data on citizenship status.
- The bill aims to ensure that only citizens are considered for representation in Congress.
- The severability clause protects the rest of the Act if parts are deemed unconstitutional.
Potential Disadvantages
- Could lead to an undercount of the total population, affecting federal funding and representation for some states.
- The citizenship question may deter non-citizens from participating in the census.
- Limiting redistricting could entrench existing political boundaries, even if they become unfair due to population changes.
- The exclusion of non-citizens from apportionment calculations may raise constitutional concerns.
- The changes could disproportionately affect states with large non-citizen populations.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's constitutionality is questionable, particularly concerning the exclusion of non-citizens from apportionment, which may conflict with the 14th Amendment's Equal Protection Clause and the principle of "one person, one vote." Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution states that Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States "according to their respective Numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each State." The proposed changes to redistricting could also face legal challenges under the Voting Rights Act.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).