The proposed census rule on residence and demographic questions, released September 10, would be devastating for human needs, for our democracy, and for our economy. In addition to CHN’s two comments focused on children and on the tax provision impact on low income people, a number of CHN members and other organizations have developed sign on comments opposing this rule. You may wish to join several since they raise different concerns. In addition, you may find them useful as models if you are drafting your own. Therefore, we are listing the ones we are aware of here. We are also including links for comments for business and state legislators, since you may wish to encourage members of these constituencies to sign on. The comments are due November 2; some sign on opportunities end earlier.  

Comments are critical for several reasons. The Census Bureau is required by law to consider and address them in any final rule. They draw attention to the devastating impact this rule would have, which may create pressure for Congress to address the problems. They create a basis for litigation (and we know that at least one state attorney general is already considering litigation.) So we encourage you to join comments and to consider submitting your own. 

Sign on opportunities 

• Coalition on Human Needs (CHN) comment for organizations on the tax evidence requirement and impact on low income people. The sign on and the comment itself are here. Deadline: 9 AM ET on Monday, November 2

• CHN comment for organizations on impact on children: the comment is here, and sign on to the comment here. Deadline: 9 AM ET on Monday, November 2

• Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC) comments for organizations: Tell the Census Bureau: Protect a Fair and Accurate 2030 Census and Organizational Sign-On: Protect a Fair and Accurate 2030 Census. Deadline: October 29
  
• Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights (LCCHR) comments for organizations: Race and Ethnicity are Essential Health Data, Residence Rule Comment Template, and Leadership Conference 2030 Census Residence Rule Comment Sign-On Form. Deadline: 5 PM ET on October 30

• Census Quality Reinforcement Taskforce sign-on letter for organizations and individuals, sign-on form. Deadline 8 PM ET/ 5 PM PT on October 30
  
• National Council of Nonprofits organizational sign-on: Protect a Fair, Complete and Accurate 2030 Census. Deadline: 11 AM ET on November 2

• National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) organizational sign-on letter on negative impacts on housing. Sign on deadline 11 AM ET on November 2

• Movement Advancement Project, Transgender Law Center, and Human Rights Campaign organizational comment  on LGBTQ+ impacts. Sign on deadline 1 PM ET on Monday, November 2

• National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA) sign on for organizations. Deadline: 12 PM ET on Monday, November 2

• Data Quality Campaign organizational sign on letter. Deadline not indicated

• National Network for Arab American Communities organizational sign-on form includes a summary of the comment and a link to the document. Deadline 9 am ET on Monday, November 2

• You may want to urge business partners to sign this letter. Business community sign-on (Insights Association, closing October 28, contact Howard Fienberg (howard.fienberg@insightsassociation.org) with any questions)

• You may want to urge state legislators to sign the State legislators sign-on, organized by the National Women’s Law Center. Contact Allison Gill (agill@nwlc.org) with any questions. Deadline: 12 PM ET on Monday, November 2