Proposed Changes to the
2030 Census Will Impact You ‼️
On September 10, the U.S. Census Bureau proposed major changes to the decennial census that would undermine the accuracy and integrity of the 2030 Census count. These changes will impact who is counted, where they are counted, and what questions can be asked on the census.
The proposed Census Bureau rules changes would:
Exclude any non-U.S. citizens without a green card from the congressional apportionment count
Eliminate questions about race and ethnicity from the census form and data
Ban future questions about sexual orientation
Tie residency to tax records rather than where people actually live
Remove specificity and increase the risk that some groups (foster youth, people in shelters, and others) will be missed or counted in the wrong place
The Census belongs to all of us and we all have the right to be counted. Accurate census data ensures that all communities receive their fair share of resources and political representation.
How to submit a public comment on the proposed rule change:
Write a comment in your own words
You can find templates and resources below
Open the comment form on Regulations.gov, Search for Docket No. USBC-2026-0628-0001
Paste your comment, add your name if you want in on the record, and submit by November 2, 2026
You can also mail a comment to: 4600 Silver Hill Road, Designation: ADDEMO/FRN, Washington, DC 20746
Your voice will make a difference! The Census Bureau has to read and respond to substantive public comments. Under the Administrative Procedure Act, if an agency proposes a rule and submits it through the public comment period, it has to substantively address the public comments. Submit your comment today.
Visit the resources below to learn more.
The General Election is Next Month!
Early Voting Begins October 19th🗳️
The 2026 General Election is less than a month away! Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, and Alaskans will be making important decisions about who represents us at the state and federal levels. Whether you plan to vote early, absentee, or at the polls on Election Day, now is a great time to make your voting plan.
Here are a few important dates to know:
October 19: Early voting, absentee in-person voting, electronic transmission voting, and Special Needs Voting begin.
October 24: Deadline to apply for an absentee ballot by mail.
November 2: Deadline to apply for an absentee ballot by electronic transmission.
November 3: Election Day! Polls are open from 7am-8pm Absentee ballots returned by mail must also be postmarked by Election Day.
Know What’s on Your Ballot, and Where to Vote
In our last newsletter, we shared the Alaska Voter Hub’s Ballot Builder, a helpful tool that lets you preview what will appear on your ballot before you vote. Enter your address and the tool will create a personalized sample ballot with information about the candidates and issues you’ll be deciding on. Candidate profiles include information about their general positions on topics like the economy, education, energy, the environment, and voting & elections.
Not sure where to vote? The Alaska Voter Hub’s Ballot Builder can also help you find voting locations near you, including early voting locations. You can also find voting locations, hours, and other election information at www.elections.alaska.gov.
Take some time before Election Day to make your plan, learn what’s on your ballot, and head to the polls prepared to make your voice heard!
GoGo Team in Kodiak ✈️
Last month, the AKPIRG Good Government team hosted community events in Kodiak focused on voter education. On Friday evening, we collaborated with our Kodiak Get Out the Vote team to host a voter education event for the Filipino community. Participants checked their voter registration, discussed how ranked-choice voting works and participated in a mock-RCV election.
We also hosted “Panecito y Cafecito” gatherings on voting for the Latino community in collaboration with the Association of Latin Women in Alaska (ALMA). Our GOTV team in Kodiak will continue their hard work throughout the election season to ensure that the entire community is informed, involved, and excited to vote this November.
Help send AKPIRG’s Anchorage
Housing Organizer to a training
on LEC housing!
Thank you so much to everyone who has donated so far to help us send our Anchorage Housing Organizer to a training on alternative homeownership! We are about $4,000 away from hitting our goal — if you haven’t contributed, would you be able to chip in today?
AKPIRG is interested in learning more about limited equity co-ops (LEC) housing as a way of addressing the gap in housing affordability that many Anchorage households are facing. A housing co-op is collectively owned by residents who own shares in the property rather than owning individual units. By having alternative pathways to homeownership like LECs, residents are empowered to organize and combine resources to make housing available to more of our neighbors.
The training would give our organizer, Nithya Thiru, access to national experts to advise them on an analysis of how political and financial institutions in Alaska can better support LECs. As a result of Nithya’s training, AKPIRG will publish and promote a report of the southcentral region’s “readiness” for limited-equity co-operative housing.
Elders & Youth Technology Training 🖥️
We’re headed to the 2026 Elders & Youth Conference!
Our team will lead Technology Training for Our Languages, a hands-on workshop created by and for Alaska Native people to explore how everyday technology can support language learning and language access.
Participants will work in Elder and Youth groups to build practical technology skills, including creating and using an email account, working in Google Docs, and setting up special keyboards for Alaska Native languages. The workshop is designed to make these tools more accessible while creating space for Elders and youth to learn alongside, and from, one another.
The workshop will be led by Rochelle Geh Gii Ch'adzaa Adams (Gwich'in), Edna Hna’estał Standifer (Dena’ina), Amaya Tǫǫ Ahtsin Shaw (Gwich’in), Nikka Chilux̂ Dirks (Unangax̂), and Brittany Woods-Orrison (Koyukon).
Join us at the Dena’ina Center in Room Kahtnu 2 on October 20 from 3:30–5 pm!
October Movie Nights 🍿
This month, we have THREE opportunities for you to join us for video screening events. Get cozy, grab some popcorn, and catch a flick with us and our partner organizations. 🎥
Support our legislative advocacy with a fun night of trivia, door prizes, & the cinematic masterpiece Sharknado (PG-13)!
AKPIRG is hosting our first ever movie night fundraiser with a showing of Sharknado (PG-13) at Akela Space. We will have door prizes and shark and economic justice trivia (because remember folks, loan sharks are more terrifying than any sharks, and predatory lenders are even scarier than apex predators). Proceeds will support AKPIRG's economic justice advocacy at the legislature next year.
When: Doors open at 6:00 pm. Trivia starts at 6:45 pm and Sharknado starts at 7:30 pm. Stop by for either, or both!
Where: Akela Space, 320 West 6th Avenue, #132F Anchorage, AK 99501
Hope to see you there for a fin-tastic time!
Energy Affordability & Community Resilience Video Screening ✨
Join us for an evening highlighting communities across Alaska that are already leading the way toward a more sustainable, resilient, and equitable energy future.
We will be screening a collection of videos from around the state, sharing stories of community innovation, partnerships, Alaska’s diverse people and cultures, and the traditions and values that connect generations.
When: October 26 | 7:00 PM (doors at 6:30 PM)
Where: Morris Thompson Cultural & Visitors Center, 101 Dunkel St, Fairbanks, AK 99701
Pizza will be provided. The event is free to attend.
Sponsored by the Fairbanks Climate Action Coalition, Native Movement, The Alaska Center, Renewable Energy Alaska Project, and the Alaska Public Interest Research Group.
“Earth’s Greatest Enemy” Film Screening + Q&A 🌎
Join community partners on Tuesday, October 27 for a screening of Earth’s Greatest Enemy, a documentary from filmmaker Abby Martin examining the environmental impacts of the U.S. military-industrial complex.
The film explores the connections between militarism, climate change, pollution, and environmental justice around the world, and features Alaska Community Action on Toxics’ Pamela Miller and Vi Waghiyi.
Come early for pizza, a meet & greet, and a spooky-season costume contest, then stick around after the film for a community Q&A and discussion.
When: Tuesday, October 27
4 PM: Meet & Greet + Pizza
6 PM: Film Screening
7:30 PM: Q&A
Where: Loussac Library, 3600 Denali St., Anchorage
