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The Census is a right fit for
Leagues across the country:
The League of Women Voters has
taken on the 2010 Census as a central project for the upcoming year.
Leagues across the country have already begun establishing partnerships
with their local census offices in efforts to ensure every resident is
counted. Nationally, we have officially partnered with the Census Bureau
and have joined the national Ya Es Hora, Hagase Contar! ("It is Time,
Make Yourself Count!) Campaign along with NALEO, Service Employees
International Union, and others.
General Description of
the U.S. Census:
Article I, Section 2, of the U.S. Constitution mandates a headcount of
everyone residing in the United States. The first Census was conducted in
1790 and has been carried out every 10 years since then.
The 2010 Census will be mailed
to all households in March, consisting of a short-form, with 10 questions
that will take 10 minutes to complete. The census will count all residents
living in the United States as well as ask for name, sex, age, date of
birth, race, ethnicity, relationship and housing tenure - taking just
minutes to complete.
Census data is important because it:
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impacts how more than $300
billion per year in federal and state funding is allocated to
communities for neighborhood improvements, public health, education,
transportation and more.
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determines how data are
also used to apportion seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and
to redistrict state legislatures and;
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determines how Census data
are used to define legislature districts, school district assignment
areas and other important functional areas of government.
The Census is like a snapshot
that helps define who we are as a nation. Data about changes in your
community are crucial to many planning decisions, such as where to provide
services for the elderly, where to build new roads and schools, or where
to locate job training centers.
The 2010 Census will
particularly influence Ohio's representation in the U.S. Congress as
redistricting decisions are made based upon population counts. Accuracy
with the Census data is particularly important for Ohio as the state is
expected to lose one or two congressional seats as a result of population
decreases. The loss of any congressional seat will have a direct impact
upon the way new districts will be drawn in 2011. While representation is
a key issue, communities may experience a financial impact as support for
many federal programs is based upon Census data. Some communities could
lose congressional representation and face reduced federal dollars for
services such as education and health care. Ohio deserves its fair share
of representation and resources. Public awareness of the importance of the
Census is paramount to increasing participation and cooperation.
Let’s work together to
make it happen right!!
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