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The US may get a more accurate census in 2010. The Bureau of the Census has
been given the go-ahead to experiment with statistical sampling as a way of
accounting for the millions of people missed out by conventional counts. Census
officials say that making statistical adjustments based on numbers of people
already counted is the best way to improve accuracy, but Republican members of
Congress —who stand to lose from the redrawing of Congressional districts
if the missing millions are included—dismiss the idea as unconstitutional
(This Week, 21 June, p 12).
A compromise recently thrashed out bars the adoption
of statistical sampling for the 2000 census—but leaves the door open to
its use later on.