US Census Report on Noncitizen Voting Flawed
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A US Census Report on Noncitizen Voting Used Bad Data to Reach Faulty Conclusions
A recent report from the US Census Bureau, touted by President Trump as evidence of noncitizens voting in the 2020 election, has been found to be riddled with flaws. The report’s authors, a mix of government officials and researchers linked to the Trump administration and Republican party, used questionable data and methods to reach their conclusions.
The report is not particularly surprising given the history of voter suppression and conspiracy theories surrounding noncitizen voting. Studies have consistently shown that instances of noncitizens casting ballots in US elections are vanishingly small. For example, Utah’s Lieutenant Governor Deidre Henderson reviewed her state’s 2.1 million registered voters and found a mere 27 “confirmed noncitizens,” none of whom had actually voted.
The real issue is not the report itself but the motives behind it. The authors’ ties to the Trump administration and Republican party are clear, and their work appears to be part of a broader effort to discredit the US election process. This phenomenon is not new; similar efforts have been made in the past, often cloaked in pseudoscience and bad data.
The involvement of researchers from organizations like America First Policy Institute (AFPI) and Claremont Institute raises questions about the role of think tanks in shaping public policy and influencing government research. While these organizations present themselves as objective, their connections to Trump’s administration and Republican party suggest a more sinister agenda.
One aspect that has gone largely unexamined is the use of Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) appointments to funnel talent into government. Danah Boyd, a professor at Cornell University who studies the census, notes that IPAs were originally designed for scientific work, not political activism. The presence of IPA appointees on this project raises concerns about their role in shaping research and policy.
The timing of this report is also noteworthy. With Trump’s Truth Social post hailing the report as evidence of his election win, it’s clear that this was always intended to be a partisan exercise rather than an objective analysis. The Census Bureau’s silence on the matter only adds to the suspicion.
As we move forward, it’s essential to scrutinize government research and policy initiatives more closely. We need to ask questions about the motives behind these efforts and ensure that research is conducted with integrity and transparency. In this case, the flaws in the report are glaring, but they also highlight a broader problem: the politicization of government research.
The consequences of such actions can be far-reaching, eroding trust in institutions and undermining the very fabric of our democracy. We must remain vigilant and demand more from our government researchers – particularly when it comes to issues as critical as election integrity.
This report serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of bad data and worse motives. As we move forward, let us prioritize fact-based research and policy initiatives that serve the public interest, not partisan agendas.
Reader Views
- TCThe Compass Desk · editorial
The Census report on noncitizen voting is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to manipulating data for partisan gain. What's equally concerning is how think tanks like America First Policy Institute and Claremont Institute are embedded in government research, using Intergovernmental Personnel Act appointments to place their handpicked "experts" in influential positions. This blurs the lines between objective analysis and overt advocacy, allowing ideologues to masquerade as impartial researchers. The real scandal is not just the flawed data, but the revolving door that lets politics infect the very fabric of government research.
- IRIván R. · tour guide
The US Census Bureau's report on noncitizen voting is just another attempt by those in power to undermine trust in our democratic system. What's often overlooked is how these reports can have real-world consequences for marginalized communities who are already vulnerable to voter suppression tactics. For example, states may use this flawed data to justify restrictive voting laws or even purge eligible voters from the rolls. We need to be vigilant and not let these efforts go unchecked – it's time for accountability and transparency in our government research.
- MJMara J. · long-term traveler
The US Census Bureau's report on noncitizen voting is just another example of how voter suppression and conspiracy theories have become entrenched in American politics. What's striking is how easily these flawed studies are weaponized by politicians to erode trust in the democratic process. The real concern should be the revolving door between think tanks, government, and partisan organizations, where "research" becomes mere propaganda. This cozy relationship deserves more scrutiny, particularly when IPA appointments allow for the funneling of ideologically driven individuals into positions of power.