Editorial: Complete your Census form, keep North Carolina's voice strong
Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020 -- Time is running out. It was recently decided to shorten the 2020 Census response period by a month and end it on Wednesday, Sept. 30. Don't let Washington short-change North Carolina. Complete the 2020 Census now.
Posted — UpdatedIs it a partisan political issue? It doesn’t seem to be. Union County, where Republicans dominate in voter registration, leads the state with a 71% household response rate. Orange County, where Democrats top voter registration numbers is second at 69%.
Foremost, the Census determines North Carolina’s voice in Washington. Currently, given projections for the state’s population growth, the congressional delegation is expected to grow from 13 members of the U.S. House of Representatives to 14. Failure to make sure everyone living in the state is counted in the Census will mean less clout – regardless of political affiliation – in the Capitol. For the state to receive its fair share and be heard with the authority its numbers deserve, there must be a full and complete count.
The population count in the Census directly affects the annual distribution of $43.8 billion in federal funds that provide assistance in the states for health care, schools, transportation systems and emergency response.
Public assistance programs – including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly Food Stamps), childcare, job preparation and other assistance programs are based on the Census count of children and people in a household.
Population data is used to determine aid to communities affected by natural disasters – such as hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and droughts.
Census data is already being used to help understand and confront the COVID-19 pandemic.
Missing just 3% of the count by the Census could cost North Carolina $330 million over a decade. Again, this is money North Carolina taxpayers send to Washington that won’t come back – but will go to help other states.
What do you need to do? That’s easy. If you haven’t, complete the 2020 Census now.
Or you can find that questionnaire you got a while back in the mail, complete it and send it back.
Have you already completed your 2020 Census response? Great. But how about asking your friends and neighbors if they’ve completed the 2020 Census. If they haven’t, just give them the information above.
Don’t let Washington short-change North Carolina. Complete the 2020 Census now.
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