After extensive research to inprove data collection on Hispanic origin and race, the Census Bureau sta recommended a new combined question format for the 2020 Census form.

The use of this approach required revision of Office of Management and Budget (OMB) federal standards on race and ethnicity data. The OMB failed to revise the standards, preventing the Bureau from adopting its proposal. Instead, the Census 2020 questionnaire will retain separate questions about Hispanic origin and race.

This approach is likely to result in less accurate data and incomplete responses, requiring the Bureau to expend more resources in following up with households who do not initially complete the entire questionnaire.