US Census Bureau says Rhode Island was overcounted, likely saved Congress seat

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WLNE) — A report released by the U.S. Census Bureau said the Rhode Island population was overcounted in the 2020 census.

According to the Post Enumeration Survey released Thursday, Rhode Island was overcounted by more than 5%, the third highest in the country.

That 5% equates to roughly 55,000 people who were overcounted. Experts said that the overcount allowed Rhode Island to keep their second congressman, which pre-census release data suggested the state was in danger of losing.

“The estimated overcount is more than the roughly 19,000 people we needed to keep our second congressional district,” said John Marion, executive director of Common Cause RI.

Marion noted that Rhode Island will not lose the second Congress seat based on a 1999 Supreme Court ruling.

Data from the survey shows a majority of the overcount was due to people being counted more than once. He also cited the state’s efforts to get everyone counted.

“Rhode Island, like many states, had a robust community-based outreach effort,” Marion said. “Some community groups offered gift cards to people who came to events that encouraged participation.”

The overcount in the state has some calling for accountability in the state.

“This is appalling and outrageous. Where are the good government groups demanding government accountability,” said Rhode Island Republican Party Chairwoman Sue Cienki.

“This is why Rhode Islanders are skeptical of removal of ID on mail ballots. You count thousands of extra residents in a census and there is no accountability,” she added.

Former Gov. Gina Raimondo created the Rhode Island Census Count Committee, which has co-chaired by former director of the Rhode Island Department of Health Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott and former Centrals Falls mayor and candidate for general treasurer James Diossa.

“I am incredibly proud of the Census Count Committee’s efforts. As a Co-Chair of the Committee, I wanted to ensure every Rhode Islander was fully represented in the federal House of Representatives,” said Diossa in a statement.

“And I think we achieved that. With the Committee’s efforts towards a full census count, we were able to retain our two congressional seats to help ensure Rhode Island has a voice in Congress during this all important time,” he added.

US Census officials did say Thursday’s survey gives them a look ahead to 2030, and based on the data Rhode Island could be in jeopardy again of losing a Congress seat.