Block Boundary Suggestion Project - Verification Cycle

Dear Liaison,

I am writing to invite you to participate in the second cycle of Phase 1, the Block Boundary Suggestion Project Verification (BBSPV), of the 2030 Census Redistricting Data Program (RDP). The objective of the RDP 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 2030 Census. Towards this goal, the U.S. Census Bureau through its RDP, offers states the opportunity to provide updates to their congressional, legislative, and voting district plans as well as provide suggestions for 2030 Census tabulation block boundaries.

Liaisons are invited to participate in BBSPV regardless of whether they participated in BBSP in 2026. In BBSPV, liaisons that participated in BBSP can review that their BBSP updates were correctly applied and submit any additional updates. Liaisons that did not participate in BBSP can provide their initial updates during BBSPV. The Census Bureau supplied participant materials are available from the BBSP portion of the Redistricting Data Program Management website.

The Census Bureau also provides access to the Geographic Update Partnership Software (GUPS) to facilitate your participation in BBSPV from the previously mentioned webpage. Although you are not required to use the GUPS, you are required to provide all BBSPV submissions electronically through specified formats provided by the Census Bureau as described in the participant materials.

The Census Bureau can conduct training (virtual or in-person), by request of the state liaison or their designee, and provides support in the use of the GUPS and the non-GUPS methodology.

This is a voluntary program, but materials are available for all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico regardless of whether you choose to participate. If you have any questions, please contact James Whitehorne, Chief of the Redistricting & Voting rights Data Office (RVDO), at (301) 763-4039 or <[email protected]>.

Sincerely,

James Whitehorne