Every ten years the U.S. Census Bureau counts every person living in the United States. This year, the results of this count were delayed due to the difficulty of counting during the COVID-19 pandemic. In additional to many data sets, including population, race, ethnicity, housing status, and more, the Census Bureau also releases what is called P.L. 94-171 data, which is used for redistricting. You may remember that redistricting is the process of ensuring that each district is substantially equal in population. Redistricting is happening throughout our country, in congressional districts, supervisorial districts, and more.
Changes to Election Code specified that instead of counting incarcerated persons in the Census Blocks where prisons are located, they have apportioned this population to the Census blocks of their last known home address. The table below reflects the adjusted, incarcerated persons reallocated P.L. 94-171 Redistricting Data. Santa Cruz County’s reallocated 2020 population is 271,352. Therefore the target for equality for each of five districts is 54,270.4.