Do you understand how Congressional representation is determined?
There are differences for the House and for the Senate.
Photo Credit: LA Times/Getty Images
Issue #372 Government July 27, 2023
As you know, the US census is taken every ten years. If you remember, while the census was taken in 2020 during the pandemic's beginning, Donald Trump tried to influence the eventual results to benefit him, of course. Keep reading to find out why the census is so important to Congressional representation.
Established shortly after the American Revolution, the first census was taken in 1790 under the direction of then-Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson. As America's population grew, so did its census. Since then, there have been 23 federal censuses, each one reflecting the growth and change of the nation.
In 1839, Congress passed The Census Act, establishing a centralized office during each decennial enumeration. Over the years, the methods used to gather census data have significantly evolved. Initially, data was collected door-to-door by U.S. marshals.
However, in 1880, specially trained enumerators took over this task, marking a shift in census-taking methods. As technology advanced, the paper-and-pencil tabulation of the past gave way to punch cards and later, electronic data collection.
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But what happens if this data is incorrect? The implications are far-reaching. Census data informs the distribution of federal funds, the allocation of resources, and the representation of communities in government.
If the data is inaccurate, communities may not receive the resources they need or the representation they deserve. For instance, an undercount could lead to insufficient funding for schools, hospitals, and other essential services in a particular area.
Why some people decide not to be counted
As usual, historical events play a significant role. For instance, certain minority groups may distrust government surveys due to past experiences of discrimination or mistreatment. Japanese Americans, for example, might recall how census data was used during World War II to identify and incarcerate people of Japanese descent.
Cultural values also come into play. Some cultures place a high value on privacy and may be hesitant to share personal information, even with a government entity. Others may fear the misuse of their data due to concerns about data security and privacy.
Changes in immigration policies or political rhetoric targeting certain communities can create an environment of fear and mistrust. This can discourage individuals, particularly non-white people, immigrants, and non-citizens, from participating in the census.
Current trends, such as the rise of misinformation on social media, can further exacerbate these issues. Misinformation campaigns can spread fear and confusion about the census, leading to decreased participation.
People in poorer Black neighborhoods were often lied to and told that they could be arrested if they participated in the census. This led to an undercount in some of the areas where federal funds could be most needed.
Of course, he did
The 2020 Census drew controversy with allegations of attempted manipulation by former President Donald Trump. The allegations against Trump centered around two main issues:
First, his administration attempted to add a citizenship question to the census, which many critics viewed as an attempt to discourage participation among undocumented immigrants fearing deportation.
Second, Trump issued a memorandum excluding undocumented immigrants from the apportionment base, the count used to divide House seats among states.
These actions carried significant risks, including legal challenges and public backlash. Indeed, both the citizenship question and the memorandum were blocked by the Supreme Court.
Looking toward the future, technology and innovation will continue to shape the census-taking process. For instance, geospatial technologies could be used to create more accurate maps, which would help ensure that every household is accounted for.
Similarly, machine learning algorithms could be implemented to identify and correct errors in real time, leading to more accurate and reliable data.
This is especially important as the danger of randomly knocking on some people's doors has become more and more dangerous because of America's "shoot first and ask questions later" gun culture.
How the Census determines representation in the House
The Census plays an integral role in determining the number of seats each state receives in the U.S. House of Representatives. This process, known as apportionment, involves dividing the 435 seats in the House among the 50 states based on their respective population counts. The larger the population of a state, the more seats it gets in the House. Thus, the Census ensures that representation in the House is proportional to the population.
Why it's different in the Senate
The Constitution mandates that each state, regardless of its size or population, is allotted two Senate seats. This arrangement was initially designed to maintain a balance of power between small and large states, ensuring that every state has an equal voice in the upper chamber.
But this structure has significant implications for legislation and policymaking, as it means that a small state like Vermont holds the same sway in the Senate as a populous state like California.
Not all Americans have equal voting representation in Congress
Interestingly, the U.S. territories and the District of Columbia are counted in the Census, but they do not have voting representation in the Senate. Their representation in the House varies, with some territories having a non-voting delegate while others have no representation at all. This lack of representation has been a topic of ongoing debate and discussion. One of the primary allegations of the Colonies against Britain in the 1700s was "taxation without representation," but that is exactly what is still happening today in the territories and the District.
Overall, the Census is a powerful tool for shaping the American political landscape. It determines how voices are heard in the House of Representatives, impacts the distribution of federal funds, and influences the electoral college votes for each state.
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