The Hill

Census Concerns

Julia Newman

In mid-March 2010 the National Census begins. The Census is taken every year, and is done to determine population size and to gather information about that population. This information is then used to determine how to allocate more than $400 billion in government funds and to determine the boundaries of Representatives’ districts. When the Census shows a significant enough change in the population of an area the 435 seats in the House of Representatives will be readjusted (some states might get more or less seats). Even if the Census redraws district lines, some states pass laws changing these lines, in the favor of a certain political party, or “gerrymander.” For example, a Republican could try and pass law allowing a redistricting plan, by drawing the lines of an area to be predominately Republican, therefore raising the chance of electing a Republican Representative. Another concern about the Census is that not everyone will participate (such illegal immigrants) therefore not giving an accurate image of the population.

• Allocate: To set aside or assign for a specific purpose.
• Districts: An electoral division of a state, entitled one member in the US House of Representatives
• Gerrymander: Creating district lines to give one political party a majority in many districts while concentrating the voting strength of the other party into as few districts as possible.
• Redistricting: A form of rearranging or changing the boundaries of a political district.

• Argument for: The Census is a great way to get a snapshot of what the United States looks like. The statistics gained from this gives a framework for policy making.
• Argument against: Many feel that gerrymandering almost defeats the purpose of re-drawing district lines. Not everyone participates in the Census therefore not making it an incomplete snapshot.

Additional Reading:

-http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/02/26/census.redistricting/index.html?iref=allsearch