The U.S. Census is required under the U.S. Constitution to occur every 10 years and is the process of counting every resident in the country. For the first time ever, in 2020 the Census will be primarily digitally based.

Why it matters

The U.S. Census data is used to make decisions around education, healthcare, infrastructure, and political representation. With increased growth in the country, getting an accurate and complete count of every person living within is crucial to ensure that each state receives funding to support the number of residents in each state. This Census the focus continues to be on reaching hard to count communities and ensuring these communities get included in the Census count.

What we’re doing

The League’s Census work will occur in three phases: (1) Education; (2) Get Out to Count activities, (3) Watchdog reporting. In the months leading up to Census Day—April 1, 2020—Leagues around the country will be in communities sharing information and resources about how to participate and the importance of the U.S. Census. On Census Day, the League will work in coalition to help get everyone counted, work in Complete Count Committees to share out information about low-reporting areas, and communicate where additional support is needed. Once the Census count wraps up in the Summer/Fall of 2020, the League’s will remain in communities and will watchdog any issues from the ground.

See more information here:

https://www.lwv.org/other-issues/census?utm_source=LeagueUpdate&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=081519

[Source: U.S. Census Bureau]

Why census data matters

Education

Census data is used to influence the distribution of billions of dollars that go to educational agencies that pay for special education, school lunches, improving teacher quality, and Head Start programs.

Health Care

The information collected determines where community health centers are placed to better serve low-income patients and aid current health disparities, such as those impacted by the opioid crisis.

Infrastructure

Companies use the data from the census to determine where to build factories or expand store real estate.

Political Representation

Finally, census data is used to draw the state and federal legislative district lines that ultimately determine the elected officials who represent us.

The drastic effects of a census undercount

The U.S. Census Bureau has been working to prepare for Census 2020 for the last decade, testing the forms, engaging communities, and planning for a new digital count.

We are committed to a fair and accurate 2020 Census because if our communities are not fully counted, opportunities for investment, health, public safety, and representation will be lost.

It’s up to all organizations and individuals to get involved and make our voices heard.

Here is a report about the role of the census in the distribution of federal funds in Oregon. In FY 2016, Oregon received over $13 billion through 55 federal spending programs guided by the 2010 census data. Census data is critical!