Happy Census Day! While we are focused on keeping our families, friends, and communities safe during the COVID-19 crisis, I wanted to take the time to highlight how important it is to fulfill our constitutional obligation to complete the 2020 Census.

The Census is a once-a-decade population and housing count of all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Island Areas. The results of the Census determine the number of seats for each state in the U.S. House of Representatives and are used to draw state legislative and local district boundaries. Federal agencies use census data to distribute more than $6 billion in federal funds to Kansas each year.

Kansas communities depend on these funds to sustain everyday services, which is why it is critical for the future of our own communities and the state that everyone is counted as part of the 2020 Census. Every uncounted person costs the state of Kansas approximately $2,082 in federal funding annually – meaning if you’re not counted, we will be shortchanged for a decade and our communities and services will suffer.

Hard-to-count populations like rural communities, children and seniors are at high risk of being undercounted. Having a large portion of Kansans go without being counted in the Census would have a devastating impact on our state and these populations.

On Census Day, please take the time to complete the Census – it’s quick and easy. In the last three weeks, you should have received mail from the Census that includes a code and web link. Using the code, you can complete the Census in minutes. It’s so simple, we ask that you also take the time to let your friends, family, and neighbors know how important – and easy – it is to complete the Census. Please, use the tools and videos we’ve created on the Census or visit KansasCounts.org to access great content to share with your networks.

We’re counting on you!

David Jordan,

President & CEO, United Methodist Health Ministry Fund

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