U.S. Census Bureau Consultation Summary & Resources for Nov. 2 Comment Deadline

The United States Census Bureau held a Tribal consultation on October 2, 2026, about the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking issued on September 10, 2026. If adopted, the rule would fundamentally change how the 2030 census counts every person in the United States.

NCAI has compiled a summary document covering the October 2 consultation and select slides shown by the Census Bureau during the consultation.

All comments, including public comment, are due Monday, November 2.

In addition, NCAI sent a letter asking for additional consultation and has not heard back from the Census Bureau. The Census Bureau provided only two weeks’ notice of the consultation, rather than its standard 30-day notice, citing operational deadlines for the 2030 Census and ongoing litigation related to the 2020 Census. NCAI strongly encourages Tribal Nations and Tribal organizations to request additional Tribal consultation using NCAI’s letter as a template.

Submit comments electronically: Visit Regulations.gov, search for docket number USBC-2026-0628, select the “Comment” option, and enter or attach your comments.

Submit comments by mail:
U.S. Census Bureau
4600 Silver Hill Road
Designation: ADDEMO/FRN
Washington, DC 20746

Questions for the U.S. Census Bureau may be directed to Census Bureau Tribal Affairs Coordinator Dee Alexander at (301) 763-9335 or Dee.A.Alexander@census.gov.

Questions for NCAI? Please contact vote@ncai.org.