Oct 6, 2018
Census data supports communities
Government and businesses rely on census data to provide the
necessary services that make healthy and vibrant communities
possible. The data reveals how many grocery stores, pharmacies,
hospitals, or schools are needed, and even influence public
transportation routes and budgets. An accurate and fair count will
ensure that adequate resources are allocated.
Undercounting and the citizenship question
Asking whether the census participant is a citizen could decrease
the count because people are afraid that it would undermine their
safety and privacy. Undercounting hurts all communities because it
will imply that they need fewer resources. The U.S. Conference of
Mayors, a bipartisan body of mayors, has joined a lawsuit to take
the question off the census.
The basis for political power
Political redistricting happens as a result of significant
demographic shifts. After the 2010 census, 18 states changed their
number of congressional seats and Electoral College votes, starting
with the 2012 elections. Texas gained four seats, and Florida
gained two. Another 6 states gained on seat each, while 8 states
lost one seat, and New York and Ohio each lost two.
Find out more:
Ashley Allison is the Executive Vice President of Campaigns and
Programs at The Leadership
Conference, the nation’s premier civil and human rights
coalition. It works on a wide range of issues, representative of
the breadth of today’s civil rights movement from immigration to
disability rights, to the census and religious freedom.
If you’re interested in getting involved, email information@censuscounts.org
and check out the Census Counts
2020 website.