What Is the Census?
Our U.S. Constitution requires that every person, of all ages, living in the United States is counted – this is completed through the Census.
Completing the Census is a civil right that we have as people living in this country and is important for participating in and maintaining our democracy.
Occurring every 10 years, the next Census commences on April 1, 2020 and continues through July. It is vital to determining the representation, funding, support, and resources communities receive.
Everyone Counts in the Census, here’s why it matters to you:
It’s About Representation
Every 10 years the census determines how many seats states receives in the House of Representatives.
States like New York also use Census data to redraw the boundaries of state legislative districts — impacting the representation your community receives at the state level.
Since 1940, New York State has lost seats in Congress in every Census.
It’s About Funding & Quality Programs
More than $675 billion of federal funding is distributed and spent on programs at the federal, state, and local level. In 2016 alone, New York State received more than $73 billion to support programs vital to the wellbeing of children and families:
If we don’t count all children, our communities will have less funding for education, child care, health programs, and other services over the next 10 years — most of a child’s early life.
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