Florida Census Statistical Method Challenge

An anti-voting lawsuit seeking to block statistical methodologies used in the 2020 Census from being deployed in the 2030 Census.

Background

University of South Florida College Republicans and Pinellas County Young Republicans filed a lawsuit challenging the U.S. Census Bureau’s statistical methods used for the 2020 Census. Plaintiffs assert the Bureau improperly estimated populations in group housing and systematically distorted data by adding statistical errors to protect confidentiality. The lawsuit alleges the Bureau’s statistical methods were inaccurate and resulted in the dilution of representative power of lawful citizens. Plaintiffs argue violations of the U.S. Constitution and federal law, and seek to block the same statistical methods from being used in the 2030 Census.

Why It Matters

Plaintiffs’ claims represent broader GOP efforts to restrict use of statistical methods designed to account for people who are generally harder for the government to reach, including young, urban, immigrant, and lower-income individuals. Attacking these methods also advances GOP nationwide redistricting efforts designed to dilute representation of non-Republican voters.

Latest Updates

• Feb. 17, 2026: Plaintiffs filed their third amended complaint, asserting Administrative Procedures Act violations, which have a 6-year statute of limitations.
• Feb. 3, 2026: The court granted intervenor-defendants’ motion to dismiss the lawsuit finding plaintiffs’ claims time-barred by the 5-year statute of limitations.
• Jan. 8, 2026: Intervenor-defendants do not oppose pausing proceedings pending the resolution of outstanding motions, but stated discovery would be necessary if the case proceeds to trial.
• Jan. 7, 2026: Plaintiffs filed a motion to pause discovery pending the resolution of plaintiffs’ motion for summary judgment and defendants’ motion to dismiss.
• Dec. 24, 2025: Intervenor-defendants filed their reply in support of their motion to dismiss.
• Dec. 23, 2025: Plaintiffs filed their support of their motion for summary judgment.
• Dec. 19, 2025: Intervenor-defendants filed their opposition to plaintiffs’ motion for summary judgment.
• Dec. 17, 2025: Plaintiffs filed their opposition to intervenor-defendants’ motion to dismiss.
• Nov. 26, 2025: Intervenor-defendants filed a motion to dismiss, arguing plaintiffs lack standing, failed to state a claim, and are blocked by the four-year statute of limitations.
• Nov. 20, 2025: The court granted Alliance for Retired Americans and two University of Central Florida students’ motion to intervene as defendants.
• Nov. 19, 2025: Proposed-intervenor defendants filed their reply in support of their motion to intervene.
• Nov. 14, 2025: Plaintiffs filed a motion for summary judgment.
• Nov. 12, 2025: Defendants filed their opposition to proposed-intervenor defendants’ motion to intervene. Plaintiffs filed their second amended complaint, support for a three-judge panel, and a response to defendants’ opposition to proposed intervenor-defendants’ motion to intervene.
• Oct. 29, 2025: The district court asked parties to provide briefings on whether a three-judge panel should oversee the case.
• Oct. 28, 2025: The Alliance for Retired Americans and two University of Central Florida students seek to intervene as defendants.
• Sept. 15, 2025: Plaintiffs’ filed their complaint, and requested a three-judge panel.