DeSantis Claims Florida Shortchanged on Congressional Seat

ORLANDO, Fla. — Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has made claims regarding the 2020 census, alleging that the state was unfairly shortchanged and should have received an additional congressional seat. This assertion has sparked significant discussion about the counting process and its implications for representation in the U.S. House.

During a news conference on August 20, 2023, DeSantis criticized the U.S. Census Bureau for what he perceives as an inaccurate count of Florida’s population. According to him, the state, which ranks as the third most populous in the country, deserved another seat in the House of Representatives. Following the last census, Florida gained one additional seat, bringing its total to 28.

“This is something that has stuck in my craw for a number of years,” DeSantis stated. He emphasized that he had anticipated Florida would secure two seats based on earlier projections.

The census data, collected every decade, plays a crucial role in determining the allocation of congressional seats among the 50 states. It also influences the distribution of approximately $2.8 trillion in federal spending each year.

Examining the Claims

DeSantis pointed to findings from the Census Bureau’s post-enumeration survey (PES), suggesting that Florida had an undercount of nearly 3.5%, equating to around 761,000 residents who were not counted. According to an analysis by Election Data Services, Florida required only about 171,500 more residents to gain an extra congressional seat.

While DeSantis mentioned that even the Biden administration acknowledged Florida’s shortchanging, the facts indicate otherwise. The Biden administration did not make such a claim. The PES, released in 2022, was aimed at assessing the quality of the census count, identifying areas of overcounts and undercounts.

Critically, the PES is not used to adjust congressional seat allocations. As clarified by Thomas Saenz, president of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund), the U.S. Constitution mandates an actual enumeration, not estimations or samples.

Undercounts and Overcounts

DeSantis’s assertion that every undercounted state was Republican while overcounted states were Democratic is misleading. For example, Illinois, which experienced an undercount, is governed by Democrats, while states like Ohio and Utah, where Republicans dominate, were overcounted.

Several factors contributed to Florida’s undercount. Unlike states such as New York and California, which invested heavily in census outreach—spending $60 million and $187 million, respectively—Florida’s early efforts were minimal. DeSantis only announced the formation of a state committee to mobilize participation in January 2020, just weeks before the census count commenced.

Demographic challenges also played a role. The 2020 census faced numerous obstacles, including the COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters, and social unrest. These factors disproportionately affected communities that are typically harder to count, such as racial and ethnic minorities and individuals without stable housing.

In response to the perceived undercount, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier suggested a manual recount based on insights from the PES. However, the practicalities of implementing such a solution remain unclear. Uthmeier’s office stated that his letter to the U.S. Commerce Department speaks for itself, but details on the proposed measures were not provided.

As the debate continues, the implications of these claims extend beyond political representation. They highlight the importance of accurate census data and the challenges associated with ensuring that every resident is counted.