Minnesota Population Overcounted By Census

(KNSI) – An error saved Minnesota from a significant redistricting shakeup this election cycle.

Last week, the United States Census Bureau reaffirmed the results of its post-enumeration survey. The PES is how the government checks its count for accuracy and includes an analysis of which state populations were most likely overstated or understated.

Minnesota had the fourth-greatest error in its favor, leading to an extra 216,000 people being counted, roughly 3.84% above its likely population. That allowed Minnesota to keep an extra Congressional representative until 2032.

The miss has some financial perks as well. A lot of federal aid is doled out based on population size, meaning more dollars are coming to the Land of 10,000 Lakes for the next decade than we deserve.

Overcounted states include Delaware, Hawaii, New York, and Rhode Island. Arkansas, Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas were all undercounted and are reliably Republican states.

Three states broke the trend. Ohio and Utah voted Republican in the last election and were overcounted. Democrat stronghold Illinois was undercounted. 37 states had no statistically significant discrepancy.

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