Did you know that the Census shapes our political representation?

From the elections to the Census, 2020 is going to require us to use our voices to impact our future. By the end of the year, the Census will be completed and we’ll leave with a snapshot of our nation.  This data will be used to determine the support and visibility that our communities need, including the number of seats in Congress and what our congressional districts look like.

Starting in 2021, the district maps will be redrawn to reflect the current state of our neighborhoods. We elect our representatives to serve us, but sometimes our own districts are not drawn to reflect the true makeup of our community. Additionally, losing a district can have a big impact on how loudly our voices will be heard in Congress.
 

Why is this important?

The key component of our democracy is the ability to elect individuals who represent us. But, Congressional districts can be drawn by people in power who essentially choose their voters, making it difficult for the minority in a district to have their needs addressed. 

Every 10 years, redistricting occurs based on Census data to account for population shifts. While districts must have an equal number of residents in each geographic area, there are no guidelines for shapes or other factors, making it easy for elected officials to draw maps that divide communities and maintain the status quo. This practice is known as gerrymandering and it disproportionately impacts people of color, working class people, people with disabilities, LGBTQ folks, and other marginalized communities who already face barriers when it comes to advocating for our own needs.