Counting on a more accurate 2010 census

Group working on getting a better count in lower income and minority-dominated communities

Gene Davis, DDN Staff Writer

Thursday, July 2, 2009

With the 2010 census under nine months away, community groups are starting an education campaign to raise awareness in lower income and minority-dominated areas about the importance of the federally mandated count.

In the 2000 census, approximately 3 percent of the nation’s Latino community was undercounted, according to Jessie Ulibarri of Mi Familia Vota. Because the census information is used to distribute congressional seats to states, make decisions about what community services are provided and as the basis for the distribution of around $300 billion in federal funds, the undercount count resulted in fewer resources for communities that needed them, according to Ulibarri.

“When we’re undercounted, it’s something that hurts all of us,” he said.

Carlos Valverde of Colorado Progressive Coalition (CPC) said underrepresented communities are often undercounted in the census, which then leads to more under-representation. Valverde pointed to the fact that Latinos make up around 25 percent of Colorado but only 3 percent of the state Legislature as evidence that change is needed.

“We’re looking at making sure that all communities are adequately counted so that when we look at redistricting the state, there is better representation in the Legislature,” he said.

The 2009 Legislative Report Card on Racial Equality that was released by CPC last month proves redistricting the state and increasing minority representation in the Legislature is necessary, Valverde said. The report card gave the Colorado Legislature a C- for their efforts in the 2009 session to increase racial equality within Colorado, though it gave lawmakers of color an average score of 85.

“The racial justice that legislators are coming with to the capitol just isn’t there,” said Valverde.

CPC and Mi Familia Vota said they are teaming up with a large number of other groups and community leaders to raise awareness about the 2010 census. Denver city leaders are doing their part, too.

Denver city councilwoman Judy Montero said the council and Mayor John Hickenlooper are working together on raising awareness about the census, adding “the clock is definitely ticking and we can’t make up for lost time if we’re not making it a priority.”

Councilman Rick Garcia said he is doing what he can promote the census, but that there is only so much he can do on the stump.

“The people who pay attention to council members’ work are probably not the ones we are most concerned about,” he said.

Strategies

Community stakeholders are implementing several strategies they hope will produce a more accurate numerical representation of Denver. For one, the city has set a goal to have 80-percent of Denverites mail in their census form by April 1. Doing so ensures people won’t have anyone come to their door to collect the data.

Mi Familia Vota and CPC are in the midst of getting people, many of them bilingual, from minority and low-income groups to become census counters. The groups hope the counters and messengers will be able to emphasize to people that any information in the census will remain confidential.

However, Valverde said the federal rules preventing anyone with a criminal background or without a drivers license from being a census counter has been harmful to their recruitment efforts.

“The U.S. government is requiring this arbitrary standard that people, particularly in the low income community, can’t meet,” he said. “Allowing people to go to their neighbors and collect the information from them will result in a better count, I think.”

Comments:
Mad @ 2009-07-02 03:45:13	The incorrect count is probably because of the illegals. they need no representation or help paid for by Americans including medical, housing, education or food assistance.
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