Pledge to complete the 2020 Census!
What is it?
Every ten years, the U.S. Government releases a survey that requires all households to complete and return. The goal is to make sure everyone residing in the U.S. — regardless of citizenship status — is counted.
Why is it important?
The numbers are important. The Census is often used as a credible resource for future studies, statements, evidence, and more. The Census will also help determine the state’s budget and spending, how district lines are drawn in a state, and even the number of representatives a state may have.
Many important and crucial programs like Medicaid, Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and the National School Lunch Program use the Census as a guideline in determining their budget for the next 10 years.
In the 2000 U.S. Census, there was an undercount of the Asian American population in Hennepin and Ramsey counties of over 10,000 Asian Americans, resulting in a loss of over $400,000 (1).
More recently, the 2010 U.S. Census was found to have undercounted the population of kids under age 5, missing nearly 1 million. This meant that many federal and state programs were unable to provide adequate funding for public education, children’s food and nutrition, and more (2).
Whether or not you are counted may determine if a budget is higher or lower. This will affect how a state government will spend or allocate its funds on certain resources or projects. Likewise, the district lines may determine how effective your voting power may be. See gerrymandering. Even the number of representatives could make a difference between political party power.
Updated 1/3/2020: There will be NO citizenship question on the 2020 Census.
To learn more, click here.
Identifying a Census Worker
Learn how to identify a Census Worker here!
How do I take the Census?
You will be able to respond online, by mail, by phone, or in person.
What can we do?
1). Complete the Census! See the above timeline on when the Census will arrive at your household.
2). Educate the people around you and make sure they complete the Census as well!
3). You can also join the effort and become a census worker. The local field workers know their community best. Learn more here. For Minnesota-based census jobs, click here.
4). You can join the Census Complete Count Committee. Find more information here.
If you have further questions about this issue and/or would like to learn more about how to be an advocate, you can contact Vang Xor, our Community Organizers working on this issue at vangxor@aaopmn.org.
Pledge to complete the 2020 Census!
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(1) Asian American Justice Center. (2009). Making Sense of the Census: How to Get the Word Out.
(2) FiveThirtyEight. A Million Children Didn’t Show Up In The 2010 Census. How Many Will Be Missing In 2020?. Retrieved from https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/a-million-children-didnt-show-up-in-the-2010-census-how-many-will-be-missing-in-2020/.