New York is bracing for a high-stakes political battle that could cost the state up to four congressional seats by 2030. The controversy centers around a proposed federal law that would count only U.S. citizens in the next census.
If passed, the Equal Representation Act would mandate a citizenship question on the census and base congressional reapportionment on citizens alone. Experts warn this could slash New York’s delegation from 26 to 22 seats, a historic low.
Census scholars argue the bill defies the Constitution, which calls for all residents—not just citizens—to be counted. Critics fear undercounting non-citizens could shrink New York’s federal clout and reverse decades of demographic progress.
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