---
title: Proposed 2030 Census Rules Put Residence and Citizenship in Focus - Clark County Republican Party
description: Public comments are due October 13, 2026. Here is what the proposal covers and how to make your views heard. The rules used to count people for con...
author: Clark County Republican Party
url: https://clarkrepublicans.org/proposed-2030-census-rules-put-residence-and-citizenship-in-focus
---



## Proposed 2030 Census Rules Put Residence and Citizenship in Focus

**Public comments are due October 13, 2026. Here is what the proposal covers and how to make your views heard.**



The rules used to count people for congressional representation deserve public attention. The Census Bureau has proposed changes to residence criteria and demographic questions for the 2030 census, and residents have an opportunity to weigh in before the public comment period closes on **October 13, 2026**. These are proposed rules, subject to the rulemaking process. [Read the Federal Register notice](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/09/10/2026-18481/decennial-census-of-the-population-of-americans-proposed-residence-criteria-and-proposed-regulations).



## What the proposal would change


 

EIN's presentation and handout emphasize two residence provisions: **15 CFR § 60.4**, concerning foreign citizens in the United States, and **§ 60.5**, concerning people living overseas.



Under proposed § 60.4, foreign citizens who are also U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents would be counted at their usual residence. Other foreign citizens would be excluded from the population used for apportionment. That distinction extends beyond people in the country unlawfully: some people with lawful status would also be excluded if they are not permanent residents.



For overseas residents, proposed § 60.5 distinguishes people who are not federally affiliated from military and civilian federal employees and their dependents. Employees temporarily deployed overseas while stationed or assigned in the United States would be counted at their usual U.S. residence. Other federally affiliated overseas groups have separate counting provisions. The proposal is more detailed than a simple military exemption.



The notice also considers using administrative records to establish legal status and invites comments on a possible legal-status question. It does not finalize a citizenship question. [See the proposed residence criteria and discussion](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/09/10/2026-18481/decennial-census-of-the-population-of-americans-proposed-residence-criteria-and-proposed-regulations#sectno-reference-60.4).



## Why EIN is encouraging participation



In the presentation and handout, EIN supports §§ 60.4 and 60.5 and urges a further step: using only U.S. citizens for apportionment. Readers should recognize the distinction. The proposed rule includes lawful permanent residents; EIN's preferred policy would exclude them.



The materials frame this issue around the relationship between citizenship and representation. Apportionment distributes House seats among states. It is separate from determining who may vote or drawing individual congressional districts. A public comment can explain the reader's position on citizenship and representation without treating the materials' constitutional arguments as settled legal conclusions.



## A separate proposal on demographic questions



Proposed § 70.2 would prohibit race, ethnicity and sexual-orientation questions on questionnaires used for census enumeration. The materials state that EIN takes no position on this provision. Readers who wish to address it can make that position clear separately from their views on residence criteria.



## How to submit your comment



1. Open the [Regulations.gov comment page](https://www.regulations.gov/commenton/USBC-2026-0628-0001), or search Regulations.gov for **USBC-2026-0628**.
2. Confirm that the document title begins **“Decennial Census of the Population of Americans.”**
3. Explain which provision you support, oppose or would change, and why. Use your own words and specific reasons.
4. Complete the required fields, submit your comment and save the confirmation.



A useful comment addresses the proposal directly. For example, supporters of EIN's position can explain why they favor its citizen-only approach while acknowledging that the Bureau's proposal includes permanent residents. Readers can also ask how residence and legal status would be verified accurately.



**Read the proposal, consider its implications and submit your views by October 13, 2026.** Check the docket for any deadline updates before submitting.