VOTING + THE CENSUS

VOTING AND THE CENSUS: EVERY PERSON COUNTS

POSTED: 06.01.2020

WRITTEN BY: DONER

Let’s start with the census. Every 10 years, the United States counts every living person in the nation, giving a candid look at who we are and where we live.

This once-a-decade poll determines:

• Where critical resources go—and where they don’t

• How many Representatives communities get in the House

• How congressional and state legislative districts are drawn

In other words, it’s a big deal.

The 2020 Census will influence business owners, lawmakers, and numerous others for the next 10 years as they make critical decisions for communities in need of new clinics, new schools, new roads, and services for families and individuals.

Based on census learning, the federal government allocates hundreds of billions of dollars in funding to more than 100 programs utilizing the information gleaned by the Census. These include Medicaid, Head Start, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and more.

Let’s look closer at the Census.

THE DATA DETERMINES WHERE RESOURCES GO—AND WHERE THEY DON'T

One-and-a-half TRILLION federal dollars are allocated to the states using Census information. Policymakers dedicate these funds to over 300 different public health, aid, and assistance programs.

Without an accurate Census count, these programs would not receive the invaluable funding they need to serve the members of their communities.

EVERY STATE’S POLITICAL INFLUENCE DEPENDS ON THE CENSUS

For each state, their population count decides their seat count in the U.S. House of Representatives. Using the information from the Census, the government divides the seats among all 50 states, relying on the total number of citizens, non-citizens and overseas federal employees in each state.

This data also influences the boundaries of local school, voting and legislative districts for each state.

WITH THE RIGHT INFO, COMMUNITIES CAN GET WHAT THEY NEED

Census data provides a clearer picture of what local residents and neighborhoods are lacking— to help communities thrive with the help of city planners, businesses, real estate developers and policymakers.

New schools, better business incentives, extra bus routes and public safety measures are just some of the far-reaching changes that can be made with accurate Census information. Without it, communities can suffer from long term ramifications like overcrowded classrooms, unsafe roads, and overflowing emergency rooms.

PHILANTHROPIC AND CHARITABLE FOUNDATIONS DEPEND ON THE CENSUS

These programs use this information to track key areas of humanitarian well-being such as health, safety, economic well-being, family and community, and education. With accurate Census information, these advocates can enforce civil rights laws in education and housing, the workplace, criminal justice - they can help communities get the representation they deserve.

SURVEYS AND STATS SERVE THE PUBLIC

Surveys like the American Community survey, Current Population survey, Consumer Expenditure survey, National Center for Educational Statistics and National Center for Health Statistics—collect essential info for the public to know.

These federal surveys rely on the Census for accurate information to provide important statistics such as national unemployment and crime rates, births, deaths, school performance measures and Consumer Price Index calculations.

Let’s look closer at voting.

You may have thought to yourself: “Why vote? One vote can’t make a difference.” But one look at some of the closest elections in U.S. history will show every vote can make a difference. In 2000, George W. Bush won the election over Al Gore by 537 votes, In New Hampshire in 1974, Republican Louis Wyman beat Democrat John Durkin by only 2 votes, making it the closest election in U.S. Senate history. Your vote could be the one that makes a difference.

THE RAMIFICATIONS OF ELECTIONS

Your vote gives you the power to influence the issues you are passionate about from public transportation to raising minimum wage, to funding for local schools. With your vote, you control what’s best for your community.

WITHOUT YOUR VOTE, YOU GIVE UP YOUR VOICE

If you don't vote, policymakers and political leaders can’t hear your concerns. It is YOUR voice that tells them which path to take; without it, those who DO vote will speak for you.

YOUR VOTE IS YOUR MONEY

Voting gives you the opportunity to say where your tax dollars are being spent. The money you give to the government is allocated according to what YOU say, but only with your vote!

THE CHANGE YOU WANT COMES WITH THE VOTE YOU CAST

When you support the ballot measures and candidates that help your community with your vote, you have the opportunity to make a positive impact for yourself and those around you.

THE COMMUNITY IS COUNTING ON YOU

Most of us have the ability to vote and have our voices heard. Your vote helps give voice to those in the community who do not; they are our friends, loved ones, neighbors, and children, and they are counting on US!

The Census and voting. Now you know. So, get counted, get your community more of what it needs, and make sure your opinions can make a difference.