Republican strategist Brad Todd appeared on CNN’s “CNN News Central” Thursday, detailing how errors in the 2020 U.S. Census disproportionately disadvantaged Republican-leaning states while benefiting Democratic ones.
“In fact, we know the 2020 census — the errors were almost always to the detriment of red states,” Todd told anchor Kate Bolduan.
When Bolduan questioned the claim, Todd cited the Census Bureau’s own 2020 Post-Enumeration Survey, which revealed that five of the six undercounted states—Arkansas, Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas—were red, while five of the eight overcounted states—Delaware, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Rhode Island—leaned blue.
These miscounts, per a 2022 Daily Caller report, affected congressional apportionment, with states like Rhode Island retaining seats while Alabama faced losses.
Trump’s Push for a Fairer Census
Todd’s remarks align with President Donald Trump’s recent call for a mid-decade census that excludes illegal immigrants from the final count, a move aimed at ensuring accurate representation.
“We do know that. The Census Bureau’s own audit of its work has proven that,” Todd emphasized, underscoring the need for reform.
Trump’s proposal, announced via Truth Social, seeks to address distortions in the 2020 census, which critics argue inflated blue-state representation.
During his first term, Trump faced legal hurdles when attempting to add a citizenship question to the census, but he has signaled a renewed effort to refine the process, potentially reshaping how the 435 House seats are allocated based on a more precise count of legal residents.
Implications for Redistricting and Electoral Balance
The 2020 census errors had significant consequences for redistricting, with undercounts in red states like Florida and Texas potentially costing them additional House seats, while overcounts in blue states like New York preserved their influence.
The Census Bureau’s survey highlighted a systemic issue, with 14 states miscounted, skewing the balance of political power.
As states redraw congressional maps every decade, accurate population data is critical to ensuring fair representation.
Trump’s proposed census, though likely to face legal challenges, reflects ongoing debates about how population counts—particularly regarding non-citizens—impact electoral outcomes.
With both parties gearing up for 2026 midterms, the push for a corrected census underscores the high stakes of achieving an equitable apportionment process.
