Use this template to draft your own comments opposing the proposed changes to the 2030 Census. Copy this document, customize the sections in brackets, or anything else you see fit, and submit your comments at www.regulations.gov by 11:59 p.m. on October 13, 2026! Note that comments can also be submitted anonymously.
Daniel Sweeney
Deputy General Counsel for Economic, Statistical, and Regulatory Affairs
Office of the General Counsel
U.S. Department of Commerce
Washington, DC 20230
Re: Decennial Census of the Population of Americans; Proposed Residence Criteria and Proposed Regulations for Demographic Questions (FR Doc. 2026-18481, RIN 0607-AA75)
Dear Mr. Sweeney:
I am writing to strongly oppose the proposed rule’s changes to the residence criteria and demographic items for the 2030 Census.
Firstly, a 30-day comment period is grossly inadequate for public review and input given the scope of the proposed changes and the devastating effect they would have on census data. The Department of Commerce and the Census Bureau must immediately publish a Federal Register notice extending the comment period by at least 60 days to provide a meaningful opportunity for public input.
Additionally, I am deeply concerned the proposed residence criteria and changes to demographic questions would undermine the accuracy, integrity, and usefulness of census data. I am particularly concerned about the following issues: [Choose from below the changes that concern you most]
- Excluding noncitizens without lawful permanent residence from census apportionment data is unconstitutional and would deprive our communities of their fair share of resources and representation. The Constitution, statutes, and settled law clearly provide that all persons residing in the United States must be counted for the apportionment of Congressional seats. Research has also shown that adding a question on citizenship to the decennial census form would have a chilling effect on census participation. If the census does not count all residents, our communities will lose resources to support their schools, hospitals, transportation infrastructure, emergency services, and more. This would harm our community because many residents rely on [add details about particular programs or services your community relies on, such as Medicaid, Medicare Part B, SNAP, highway/transportation funds, Title I/educational services, school lunch, Headstart/child care programs, etc.].
- Eliminating census race and ethnicity data collection is unprecedented, violates statutes, and severely undermines the utility of census data for a range of critical purposes. Since the first census in 1790, every single decennial census has collected race and ethnicity data in some form. Census race and ethnicity data underpin many other critical federal datasets and serve as an irreplaceable benchmark for nearly every population-based survey and study in the U.S., ensuring that our research is reliable and leads to better outcomes for all of us. Race and ethnicity data are vital to protecting public health and safety because they allow health officials to identify and address differences in health risk factors. They are necessary to enforce civil rights laws and ensure equal opportunity for all Americans, helping to ensure fairness and strengthen the U.S. economy. Race and ethnicity data also give businesses market insights to grow and compete and help local governments and nonprofits target services more efficiently. My organization relies on census race and ethnicity data to [add details about how your organization relies on race and ethnicity data]
- This rule’s attempt to bar sexual orientation questions on the decennial census is baseless and runs counter to the Census Bureau’s usual process for making decisions about demographic data collection. The decennial census does not currently collect data on sexual orientation through a standalone question. This rule would without any justification bar the Census Bureau from adopting such a question in the future, regardless of evolving research and data needs, while also raising important questions about the continued collection and publication of same-sex couple data. Decisions about adding or changing demographic questions on the census should be guided by a deliberative process that includes rigorous research and testing, consultation with federal agencies about their data needs, and meaningful engagement with subject matter experts and impacted communities. The Census Bureau should not preclude the addition of a sexual orientation question on future censuses or restrict the collection and publication of same-sex couple data. [add details about how limiting this data collection would harm your community]
For these reasons, I strongly oppose the changes proposed in this rule. We call on the Census Bureau and Department of Commerce to:
- Count all people residing in the United States in the 2030 Census, without regard to immigration status. Excluding noncitizens from census apportionment data violates the constitution and established legal precedent. It would suppress the count of many communities, effectively erasing them from critical datasets and depriving them of resources and Congressional representation.
- Continue collecting race and ethnicity data and implement the 2024 OMB SPD 15 standards. Census race and ethnicity data are essential for important research across many sectors, for upholding civil rights, and for growing the economy. Extensive Census Bureau research and engagement with expert stakeholders shows that implementing the modernized 2024 OMB SPD 15 standards for race and ethnicity data collection will yield data that more accurately represent the nation’s increasingly diverse population.
- Remove the clause banning the addition of future questions on sexual orientation. Proposed changes to demographic items should be based on research and guided by a deliberative and transparent process, including extensive stakeholder consultation.
Thank you for your attention to these comments.
Sincerely,
[Insert your name]