Lagging census response could cost Montana a second House seat

[TexasTowelie]

HELENA — Members of the commission tasked with redrawing Montana’s legislative boundaries following the 2020 census expressed frustration over the state’s dragging response rate in Native communities and other rural areas this week, citing complications from the COVID-19 pandemic that have disrupted get-out-the-count efforts.

One, Republican Jeff Essmann of Billings, worried a low count could cost Montana its opportunity to gain back a second seat in the U.S. House.

“If we don’t have these rural counties and our Native populations properly counted, we’re not going to be getting that second congressman,” he said.

“I’m fearful that we’re setting ourselves up for a major undercount both in our rural counties as well as our reservation counties at this point,” said fellow redistricting commissioner Joe Lamson, of Helena.

Read more: https://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/coronavirus/lagging-census-response-could-cost-montana-a-second-house-seat/article_3a5d1f64-01d8-5ec7-875d-24dff6f4b6e5.html