2020 Census 'Undercounts and Overcounts' Could Determine if Democrats or Republicans Have Control of US House

A 2020 U.S. Census review found that the errors within the count may have cost some states extra seats in Congress while allowing others to hang on to some of theirs. 

With control of the lower chamber up for grabs, it could be the census that ultimately determines whether Democrats or Republicans have the majority in the House.

The census not only measures how many people live in each state, it ultimately can determine the balance of power on Capitol Hill. This time around, an unprecedented 2020 combined with a variety of factors led to a number of over and undercounts.

Trying to get an accurate number of just how many people are in the country is a tall task under normal circumstances. Millions of people and different states that the census tries to sort it all out every 10 years. 

An analysis of the results from the most recent shows miscounts so large in 14 states that it affected the number of congressional seats in some of the states.

A census review indicates a statistically significant undercount in six mostly Republican-leaning states – Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennesee, Florida, Texas, and Illinois.

Add to that an overcount in eight mostly Democrat-leaning states – Hawaii, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Utah, and Rhode Island
That's important since the count helps determine things like federal funding and whether a state gains or loses a House seat.