BBSP_Invitation

Dear Liaison,

I am writing to invite you to participate in Phase 1, the Block Boundary Suggestion Project (BBSP), of the 2030 Census Redistricting Data Program (RDP). Under the provisions of Public Law 94-171 (attached), 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. The Census Bureau announced the BBSP in a Federal Register Notice on <Date TBD> (attached).

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 BBSP from the previously mentioned webpage. Though you are not required to use the GUPS, you are required to provide all BBSP 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. Additionally, the Census Bureau will work with the liaison through all steps of the BBSP including verification, which will occur one year later starting in January 2027.

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 <rdo@census.gov>.

Sincerely,

James Whitehorne

Attachments

Public Law (P.L.) 94-171 Approved December 23, 1975

Federal Register Volume <xx>, Issue <XX> (<Month Day, YYYY>) pages <xxxx-xxxx>