2002 challenges

Accepted Challenges to Vintage 2002 Population Estimates

THE CHALLENGE PROCESS

The Census Bureau prepares annual estimates of total population for states, counties and all other units of general purpose government. States, counties and units of local government have the right to challenge the population estimates prepared by the Census Bureau under the provisions of Title 15, The Code of Federal Regulations, Part 90.

To ensure that the results of challenges are incorporated into the following year’s population estimates, the Census Bureau requests that completed challenges be received no later than October 1 of the year in which the estimate was released. The Census Bureau cannot guarantee that challenges received after October 1 will be included in the following year’s estimates.

The regulations set out in 15 C.F.R. Ch. 1 Part 90 apply to any state or local government challenging Census Bureau estimates. Some of the more significant provisions are as follows:

1. An "informal challenge" (one in which the Bureau of the Census and the locality attempt to resolve the challenge on an informal basis) must be filed within 180 days after release of the estimate by the Census Bureau.

2. In the event that the challenge cannot be resolved informally, the Chief, Population Division, Census Bureau, will inform the state or local government in writing of the reasons for the outcome and of its right to proceed formally.

3. A "formal challenge" (one in which an opportunity for a hearing is provided in accordance with provisions in C.F.R. Part 90) may be filed if the informal challenge fails to resolve the issue. A formal challenge must be filed within 30 days of the date of receipt of the letter from the Chief of the Population Division advising of the right to proceed formally.

4. Upon filing a "formal challenge", the state or local government has a right to a hearing or may elect to proceed without a hearing.

5. Testimony may be taken at the hearing and relevant documentary evidence introduced.

A state or local government can request from the Census Bureau information about how to challenge its population estimate and the components used to derive the population estimate for its jurisdiction for the most recent year. Governments interested in this information may contact Population Division by:

The materials mailed to the locality will include a Review Guide and appendices, which contain descriptions of the methodologies used in preparing county and subcounty population estimates. We also show the derivation of current year population estimates for a hypothetical county and local government. The Review Guide discusses the procedures for states or governmental units to follow in challenging population estimates produced by the Census Bureau. The evidence required for a challenge, informal or formal, shall comply with the Review Guide.

If a governmental unit wishes to challenge a population estimate prepared by the Census Bureau, the governmental unit’s chief executive officer or highest elected official can initiate the challenge process for that governmental unit by:

• Writing a letter indicating their intent to challenge the population estimate for the current year’s estimate within 180 days of the estimate’s release,

• Completing the enclosed worksheets filled out for the appropriate estimation period OR providing other data indicative of population change and associated estimates for their governmental unit,

• Sending the letter, the completed worksheets, and/or other materials supporting an alternative estimate to:

The Chief, or the Chief’s designee shall review the challenge, the evidence supporting the challenge, and shall attempt to resolve the challenge.

In any instance in which a local government and the Bureau of the Census cannot resolve a challenge through the informal procedures described above, the governmental unit may file a formal challenge.

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