® Seattle City Council
Moreh 27% 2018
‘The Honorable Wilbur Ross
Secretary
Department of Commerce
1401 Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, 920230,
Dear Secretary Ross,
‘We, members of the Seattle City Counc on behalf of over 700,000 residents of our great city, are writing to express
‘ur grave concerns regarding the suggested change othe 2020 Census. The City of Seatle rales onthe Census fora
‘ya of policy decisions impacting our communis, Census data informs and determines funding for many puble
heath response and prevention programs, crtieal services such as haspitals and schools funding for affordable
housing workforce development, economic development strateles, and reporting for state and federal agencies
‘Census data impacts almost every area of Cy policymaking, and impacts our workforce, businesses, non-profit and
citizens even further: Ne all have an interest in ensuring fl partipation in the decennial Census, and ina Federal
‘Government thats committed to fll far and accurate 2020 Census.
\We stand in appasition 1oany changes that would wesken he 2020 Census process, exacerbate dstrust with the
overnment, or harm our abilty to Serve cur population's needs. The Seattle ity Coun respectfully requests that
the Secretary immediately act upon the folowing:
1. Remove the Cizenship Question. The US. Constution requires that all persons be countedin the Census
Your announcement today thatthe 2020 Census wil ince a new eltzenship question wil have aching
effect on participation. Including a ctzenship question i kely to discourage many communities from
participating the Census, ncucing eizens and non-tzens, immigrants and communities of coler, and
{ban and rural communities. Tis question would have 2 devastating impact on particpaton rates inthe
2020 Census, leading to an undercount of people residing within our country. Further asthe cizenship
{uestion has not been Included in felé testing, we donot have adequate information on postive data yields
from the question,
2 Add LGBTQ Demographic Questions. The 2010 Census was the fist time when the Census Bureau
‘estrapolated information about gender and relationshin between household members to produce
information about same-sex households. The 2020 Census should include questions about the LGBTO.
‘commun, inching questions about sexual orientation and rans-incusive gender. Without accurate
Information about the LG3TO community, ty policies and non-proft outreach on sues that