2020 is an important year for our community to “Be Heard and Be Counted” both at the ballot box and by participating in the U.S. Census. Thursday, March 12, will be an important day for our community.
It is the first day that people can fill out the 2020 U.S. Census survey, which will be offered online. Every ten years, the U.S. Constitution states that a census of the population of the country will be conducted.
The first Census was conducted in 1790 and has been done every ten years and counts every person only once in one place. The U.S. Census is done to determine the population in each state and determine how many seats in the U.S. House of Representatives each state will have.
States use the Census information to determine the boundaries for these seats, as well as for seats in legislature and county offices. The U.S. Census is also done to determine where the more than $675 billion in federal funds, grants and support to states counties and cities will be distributed and spent on schools, hospitals, roads, public works and other vital programs.
Local governments use the census data for public safety and for emergency preparedness. Businesses use census data to decide where to build factories, offices and stores which create stores and jobs.
There are a lot of good reasons to take part in the 2020 U.S. Census but there may also be questions. It is against the law for the Census Bureau to publicly release responses that may identify anyone or anyone in a household. By law, your responses can not be used against you and can only be used to produce statistics.
In the last Census, done in 2010, Tucson had a population under count and it cost us $64 million in federal funds for programs that we use. We can’t do that again, we must take part in the 2020 U.S. Census and be counted so that we get our representation in the U.S. Congress and the federal funding for the programs our community needs.
This year, the election will decide who will serve as this nation’s President, Senator from Arizona and U.S. Representatives from Arizona in Congress, to name three of the many elections to be decided. It is important to be registered to vote and then cast your vote in the election. People have fought and died for you to be able to cast your vote in an election and this election in 2020 is too important not to vote.
If you are not registered to vote, fill out a voter registration form. If you are registered to vote, then do so. It is too important and too much is at stake. Starting on March 12, I urge you to “Be Heard & Be Counted,” and fill out the U.S. Census and then Be Heard & Be Counted in November by voting in the upcoming federal election.
