Trump Admin Argues that Nothing in the Constitution Requires that the Census be Accurate

[essentialsaltes]

LINK

The Trump administration argued on Friday against a challenge to its 2020 census plans by saying the Constitution requires a count but does not say it must be accurate.

"It cannot be the case that accuracy in and of itself establishes some sort of -- is established in the enumeration clause" of the Constitution, Justice Department attorney Alexander Sverdlov told a federal judge in California.

Sverdlov acknowledged the Census Bureau has set its own "internal metrics and standards but that doesn't mean that they're judicially enforceable."

Census officials warned Ross that the new cutoff would risk "serious errors," internal documents show.

 

[Arcangl86]

There are times I feel really bad for the DoJ lawyers. They are forced to come up with some absurd legal theories to justify the policy decision that the political appointees are making.

 

[essentialsaltes]

There are times I feel really bad for the DoJ lawyers.

I was thinking just that. Someone drew the short straw and had to go and face a judge with this.

 

[Kenny'sID]

Is the Trump administration correct?

And on a side note, I don't see how such a massive endeavor can possibly be completely accurate....ever

 

[HARK!]

Is the Trump administration correct?

And on a side note, I don't see how such a massive endeavor can possibly be completely accurate....ever

I was thinking the same thing; and if it is inaccurate (and it is, always has been) ; by what Constitutional margins are allowable, if not clearly defined? It subjective, plain and simple, always has been. We can't be sure that we've found every last hobo sleeping under a bridge; and if we can't find them all; we don't know how many we've missed.

 

[Kenny'sID]

Just skimmed the article. And it appears the reasoning is to cut down on the risk of spreading the virus, by halting the workers that knock on doors in order to gather info from those who did not mail their info in.

So, if he didn't do that, would he not be accused of spreading the virus needlessly?

 

[essentialsaltes]

Of course perfect accuracy is not possible, but as noted in the OP, the Census Bureau has made its own "internal metrics and standards". The Trump Administration is calling for the Census to not live up to its own standards.

 

[pescador]

Is the Trump administration correct?

And on a side note, I don't see how such a massive endeavor can possibly be completely accurate....ever

What do you mean by "accurate"? Can the census be relied upon (if its done fairly and legally)? Absolutely! Can it be relied upon after political manipulation? Not so much. Since the census determines, among other things, how much money the states receive, there will always be political shenanigans to make sure it is not done fairly.

 

[essentialsaltes]

Just skimmed the article.

Maybe you should read it more thoroughly.

And it appears the reasoning is to cut down on the risk of spreading the virus, by halting the workers that knock on doors in order to gather info from those who did not mail their info in.

In April, the Census Bureau announced that it was rescheduling operations due to the coronavirus pandemic, and would conduct the decennial count through October 31.
The lawsuit from the groups and several municipal governments argues that Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross acted unreasonably when he announced on August 3 that counting would end on September 30.

To cut down on the risk, the Census (not Trump) did halt things temporarily for health reasons. Postponing the surveying until later, and scheduled to finish in October.
Now, Trump's Commerce Secretary has told them to stop a month earlier than their plan.

 

[DaisyDay]

I was thinking the same thing; and if it is inaccurate (and it is, always has been) ; by what Constitutional margins are allowable, if not clearly defined? It subjective, plain and simple, always has been. We can't be sure that we've found every last hobo sleeping under a bridge; and if we can't find them all; we don't know how many we've missed.

But to be deliberately inaccurate may be illegal.

 

[HARK!]

But to be deliberately inaccurate may be illegal.

Maybe, maybe not. Is there a difference between increased inaccuracy as a result of some inaction, and deliberate inaccuracy?

By what clearly enumerated section if the U.S. Constitution, could the President be held adversely accountable for exercising his executive powers, in a time of a national crisis, at his empowered discretion, for the protection of his subordinates, and for the American People as a whole?

 

[Freodin]

That's fantastic precedence! Just think of all the opportunities!

"Now, that's 500 million votes for Donald J. Trump, 3 and a half for Joe Biden and two dozen for Santa Claus.
What? There's nothing in the Constitution that says we have to count the votes accurately!"

 

[HARK!]

That's fantastic precedence! Just think of all the opportunities!

"Now, that's 500 million votes for Donald J. Trump, 3 and a half for Joe Biden and two dozen for Santa Claus.
What? There's nothing in the Constitution that says we have to count the votes accurately!"

Voter registration is a local function. It has nothing to do with the Census.

 

[Aryeh Jay]

I am looking forward to see the new Alabama population at 18 million and California drop down to 400,000. I'm sure all the red states will see a slight population increase.

A solid Republican controlled House will fit right in with the new Supreme Court we will get next week.

 

[HARK!]

I am looking forward to see the new Alabama population at 18 million and California drop down to 400,000. I'm sure all the red states will see a slight population increase.

Last I checked, most of those fleeing California are moving to Texas.

 

[KarateCowboy]

LINK

The Trump administration argued on Friday against a challenge to its 2020 census plans by saying the Constitution requires a count but does not say it must be accurate.

"It cannot be the case that accuracy in and of itself establishes some sort of -- is established in the enumeration clause" of the Constitution, Justice Department attorney Alexander Sverdlov told a federal judge in California.

Sverdlov acknowledged the Census Bureau has set its own "internal metrics and standards but that doesn't mean that they're judicially enforceable."

Census officials warned Ross that the new cutoff would risk "serious errors," internal documents show.

Another great example of lying by omission.

The office wants to continue with a well established and proven deadline. Left wing extremists are splitting hairs under the guise of accuracy in an attempt to make things more difficult and drag out the process.

 

[Kenny'sID]

What do you mean by "accurate"? Can the census be relied upon (if its done fairly and legally)? Absolutely! Can it be relied upon after political manipulation? Not so much. Since the census determines, among other things, how much money the states receive, there will always be political shenanigans to make sure it is not done fairly.

I mean what everyone means by "accurate".

 

[Kenny'sID]

Maybe you should read it more thoroughly.

Was there something you think I missed?

Now, Trump's Commerce Secretary has told them to stop a month earlier than their plan.

For health reasons?

 

[Ana the Ist]

Maybe you should read it more thoroughly.



In April, the Census Bureau announced that it was rescheduling operations due to the coronavirus pandemic, and would conduct the decennial count through October 31.
The lawsuit from the groups and several municipal governments argues that Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross acted unreasonably when he announced on August 3 that counting would end on September 30.

To cut down on the risk, the Census (not Trump) did halt things temporarily for health reasons. Postponing the surveying until later, and scheduled to finish in October.
Now, Trump's Commerce Secretary has told them to stop a month earlier than their plan.

What happens in October that isn't happening in September? Does the virus take a vacation in October?

 

[essentialsaltes]

The office wants to continue with a well established and proven deadline.

The bureau wants to continue with its self-determined deadline of October.

Left wing extremists are splitting hairs under the guise of accuracy in an attempt to make things more difficult and drag out the process.

Left wing extremists want them to drag out the process to October, when the Bureau determined its work would be finished.