Governor Ron DeSantis and State Attorney General James Uthmeier are advocating for a new census count, arguing that Florida was undercounted by nearly 700,000 residents in the 2020 Census. They believe an updated count could result in at least one additional congressional seat for the state, prompting the Florida Legislature to redraw district maps ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Support for their request is backed by recent Census Bureau data and the state’s population growth of nearly 2 million people since 2019. Currently, Florida holds 28 U.S. House seats, but state leaders contend that the existing congressional map does not accurately reflect the state’s recent growth.
In response, state officials have sent a formal letter to the Census Bureau and the Commerce Department, requesting a recount to more accurately represent Florida’s population.
