Phase 2 Invitation Letter - Voting Districts

Draft Phase 2 Invitation to liaison—copies to Gov., Gov liaison, State legislative leaders/SDC liaisons/other state contacts

Dear :

I am writing to invite you to participate in Phase 2 of the 2020 Census Redistricting Data Program. Under the provisions of Public Law 94-171 (Enclosure 1), the objective of the Redistricting Data Program is to provide each state with the small area geography, such as election precincts and census blocks, and population totals necessary for legislative redistricting after the 2020 Census. Towards this goal, the Census Bureau through its Redistricting Data Program offers states the opportunity to provide updates to their congressional, legislative and voting district plans as well as provide suggestions for 2020 Census tabulation block boundaries.

The Census Bureau announced Phase 2, the Voting District Project (VTDP), in a Federal Register Notice on June xx, 2017. (Enclosure 2). The Census Bureau will provide geographic data files from the MAF/TIGER Database for your state by December 31^st, 2017. We also will provide access to the Geographic Update Partnership Software (GUPS) to facilitate your participation in Phase 2. You are not required to use the GUPS. However, if you choose to participate and not use the GUPS, you must provide the Phase 2 submissions to the Census Bureau electronically through specified formats provided by the Census Bureau.

The Census Bureau will provide training, by request of the state liaison or their designee, and support in the use of the GUPS and the non-GUPS methodology. We will work with the liaison through all steps of Phase 2 including verification, which will occur one year later starting in December of 2018.

Phase 2 is a voluntary program. If you wish to participate in Phase 2, please confirm your participation by December 15, 2018. Public Law 94-171 requires that state participation be nonpartisan.

If you have any questions, please contact Mr. James Whitehorne, Chief - Census Redistricting & Voting Rights Data Office, at (301) 763-4039.

Sincerely,

James Whitehorne

Chief - Census Redistricting & Voting Rights Data Office

Enclosures

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