El Paso County to submit formal comment opposing elements of 2026 Census operations tests

El Paso County Commissioner’s Court voted March 2 to authorize staff to sign and submit formal comments opposing components of the U.S. Census Bureau’s proposed 2026 operations test (docket USBC‑2025‑203).

Commissioner Stelt, who introduced the motion, told the court the county has previously worried that changes to census questions or methods can discourage participation. “The census is testing techniques and questions and under this administration making moves that in my opinion are designed to limit participation,” he said, urging the court to engage in the public comment period. Judge Ricardo Sango seconded the motion and the court carried it unanimously.

Why it matters: County officials said an accurate decennial census is critical because federal and state allocations for transportation, health care, education and other programs rely on population counts. Commissioners cited concerns that testing questions or operational changes that appear intrusive or confusing can depress response rates among immigrant and hard‑to‑reach communities and lead to local undercounts.

What the action does: The court approved a staff‑reviewed comment letter — reviewed by county legal counsel — directing the county judge or designee to sign and submit the comment opposing specific elements of the 2026 test. The motion carried with an affirmative vote; staff will file the county’s comment during the federal comment window.

Next steps: County staff will submit the comment to the U.S. Census and monitor responses and any follow‑on notices. Commissioners said they will continue outreach through the county’s complete count planning work ahead of the 2030 census.

Sources: County clerk’s agenda, Commissioner Stelt’s remarks to the court and the recorded motion and vote at the March 2 meeting.