Ross wrote in an email to several senior Census Bureau officials that he praised the “excellent briefing this afternoon”, where he informed them that ending the census on October 5 would mean that the standard for full count in 10 states Will not reach
But instead of asking for the results of the incomplete count, Ross asked about the consequences of allowing the count to continue.
The email was released late as part of a lawsuit over attempts by the Trump administration to prematurely end the census.
The exchange comes in the form of the National Urban League and other groups suing Ross have accused him of trying to finish the census early so as to produce the numbers during Trump’s term. They say the administration may allow the expulsion of undocumented immigrants on appointment seats in Congress – something an administration cannot do if Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden finishes the election and finishes his numbers. Given.
“As I prepare to make the decision, I would like to make sure that I understand correctly that your team is of the opinion that if we remain in the field beyond October 5, we will have a legal time of December 31. Will not be able to meet the limit. ” Ross wrote.
Ron Jarmin, the top official in the Census Bureau, responded that the counting of counts by 5 October would allow the completion of the 31 December date.
States that cannot be completed are Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, New Mexico, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
Bureau officials told Ross that the goal of counting all 50 states to 99% of households could be brought by October 11.
The presentation stated, “Even for states with rates above 99%, there will be sub-state areas that are significantly below 99%, particularly tribal areas due to COVID-19 restrictions.”
He also told Ross that ending the nationwide count on October 5 was the last possible hope to reduce the number by the end of this year, which Ross told him to do.
A few hours after that presentation, Ross shows internal documents on 5 October.
He and the Trump administration had asked Congress to expand due to a coronovirus epidemic that would include accepting a response through October 31.
The federal judge overseeing the proceedings has considered declaring the December 31 date unconstitutional.
This story and title have been updated with new developments on the decision of Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross.
Caroline Kelly of CNN contributed to this report.
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