CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Gov. Jim Justice issued an executive order Wednesday creating the West Virginia Complete Count Commission to assist with the 2020 Census.
According to the order, the commission will serve in an advisory role to the governor. The work will focus on educating and encouraging participation in the Census by state residents along with developing ” plans and strategies to reach isolated groups or areas that typically do not respond to the Census.”
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The commission will be made up of more than two dozen members representing Gov. Justice, the state’s congressional delegation, leading lawmakers and various groups like the Salvation Army and West Virginia Healthy Kids and Families Coalition.
The order allows the commission to set-up subcommittees. A preliminary report is due to the governor by Jan. 1, 2020 with plans on how a full count can be obtained. A final report is due by July 1, 2021 looking ahead to the 2030 Census.
Work by the Census since the 2010 count has shown an additional drop in population for the Mountain State. Many expect West Virginia to lose one of its three seats in the U.S. House once the 2020 count is final.