Engler: Urging Your Participation in the 2010 Census

The U.S. Census, completed every 10 years, counts every resident in the United States and is required by the Constitution. In March, census forms were mailed to households, and census takers are now working to collect census data from those who do not return their census forms. By law, the Census Bureau must deliver population data to the President of the United States in December for reapportionment.

The census is very important to our state due to redistricting. In Missouri, Congressional redistricting is the responsibility of the Legislature, and must be done after the Census. Redistricting is a key component to fairness in our government and it’s absolutely essential that our state’s census figures reflect our true population. Census Bureau statistics determine the allocation of Congressional seats, electoral votes, and government program funding.

Missouri currently holds nine Congressional seats. There has been great concern that our state could lose one of those Congressional seats if our population declines. Currently, Missouri is performing poorly in census collections, especially in rural and outstate areas. Some of our worst performing areas are south of I-70, including the 3^rd Senatorial District.

According to the US census 2010 projections released in December, Missouri could get the 435th seat in Congress. However, Missouri’s participation is just above the national average, and as opposed to Minnesota, which is among the top two states for mail participation. According to census predictions released in December, the difference between Missouri and Minnesota’s count is only 10,000 people. If Minnesota’s census count is favorable relative to Missouri’s, they could keep their seat in Congress, and we’ll lose ours.

If you have not yet participated in the census, I urge you to respond. If you did not get a census form or misplaced it, you can still be counted. Call 1-866-872-6868 to complete the census over the phone. You can also call one of the regional centers to request to be placed on a list to receive a door to door visit from a census taker. Regional centers are located in Crestwood (314-800-0680) and Cape Girardeau (573-290-3220).

As well as helping to determine our Congressional seats, the 2010 census will help communities receive federal funds each year for things like, hospitals, job training centers, schools, senior centers, bridges, tunnels and other-public works projects, and emergency services. By answering 10 questions, you are making a difference in your community and your state.